newgazzi Vol 21

Heather has given me carte blanche this month with the sequencing of this beast of a playlist ... Enjoy!


Track #1  ... "Never Coming Down" by Guster




Track #2 ... "All This Could Be Yours" by Cold War Kids




Track #3 ... "Capsized" by You + Me




Track #4 ... "Katie Queen of Tennessee" by The Apache Relay




Track #5 ... "Being Beige" by Smashing Pumpkins




Track #6 ... "Had It All" by Allah-Las




Track #7 ... "Parking Lot" by Vic Ruggiero




Track #8 ... "Do You Know?" by Pieta Brown & Amos Lee

Sample "Do You Know?" here !


Track #9 ... "The Ambassador" by The Hold Steady




Track #10 ... "Eyes of the Muse" by King Tuff




Track #11 ... "High Tide Low Tide" by The Vaselines




Track #12 ... "Play Ball" by AC/DC




Track #13 ... "Our Love..." by The Rural Alberta Advantage




Track #14 ... "Broken Branches" by Sam Heilig




Track #15 ... "The Emperor Waltz" by Bing Crosby

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#62)

(#62, Friend or Foe by Adam Ant)

I tell people I love this record and they exclaim, "AH, guilty pleasure!!" ... incorrect.  No guilt here.  I love this album, and I don't care who knows it!  This was the first non-Billy Joel cassette I ever owned, and I don't think it's an exaggeration to say I've listened to this 500 times in my life.  I know every single word, and I'm not afraid to sing every single word in public.











Take a listen to "Place in the Country" and "Crackpot History and the Right to Lie" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#63)

(#63, Throwing Copper by Live)

I just learned this morning that Jerry Harrison from Talking Heads produced this record, and also produced God Shuffled His Feet by Crash Test Dummies.  That's pretty damn eclectic.  I remember my anticipating for Secret Samadhi was very high, based on how much I loved this record, and still do.  Mike Schwingle still loves when I do the Ed Kowalczyk "I Alone" dance ...











Here is "I Alone" and "White, Discussion" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#64)

(#64, Odelay by Beck)

Bek David Campbell was the best album artist of the 90s, and I will fight anyone, right now, if you disagree.  For a good year, this pretty much was the soundtrack of my life, because I get down, I get down, I get down all the way ... not to mention, I'm the enchanting wizard of rhythm.














Take a listen to "Hotwax" and "Lord Only Knows" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#65)

(#65, Ben Folds Five by Ben Folds Five)

Another self titled debut (that makes three in a row on this list).  I actually became a fan of this band by accident.  They covered Steely Dan's "Barrytown" for a Jim Carrey movie I can't quite think of right now, and I my mind was sonically blown.  I did something less than frugal and bought all three of their studio albums the next day, but listened to them in reverse order of when they came out (I'm still not sure why ... I was going through a divorce, I think I may have needed to spice things up a bit in my life).    Fast forward 14 years later, and all three of those studio albums are in the Top 65 of the list you are currently reading.   Ben Folds has become my go-to piano singer-songwriter now that Billy Joel wants to be an oldies act.



Here is "Jackson Cannery" and "Philosophy" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#66)

(#66, Weezer (Green Album) by Weezer)

The name of the record is Weezer, but fans know it simply as "The Green Album".  The original cover art was this same picture, with a white background, then Rivers put some different colors behind the photo, and this is the one that appeared to just jump off the shelves.  It worked, as this is still their quickest selling album.  The songs here are poppy, but with that Weezer "crunch" we've all come to enjoy.  For my money, "Hash Pipe" is still the best rock song to come out of the 21st century ... either that, or Foo Fighters' "The Pretender".  I remember, I used to have to tell my niece that "hash pipe" was spanish for "juice cup", to justify singing it at the top of my lungs.  For the record, this is the album that made my dad a Weezer fan.  He used to say "these are Beatles songs on steroids".





Take a listen to "Hash Pipe" and "Island in the Sun" ...  I marked out so hard when they performed Hash Pipe on the MTV Movie Awards.

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#67)

(#67, Led Zeppelin by Led Zeppelin)

The greatest hard rock band of all time ... and this is how it all started.  Not a single note of filler here, but stay tuned, Zepp fans, two more records from them coming up!















Here is "Good Times Bad Times" and "Dazed and Confused" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#68)

(#68, The Crane Wife by The Decemberists)

Paste introduced this band to me years ago, and I'm so glad they did.  I'm usually not a big fan of the concept album, but a number of them earned appearances on Fugazzi Grand III.  I think I'm more drawn to the music and vocals than I am the storytelling, but either way, I've always really enjoyed giving this a spin.












Take a listen to "Summesong" and "Sons & Daughters" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#69)

(#69, Walking Into Brooklyn by James Tristan Redding)

Never mind the order of this list for two seconds.  Let me make this very clear.  You tell me I have to leave this planet, and I can only take three things (no people), I'm bringing my oldest baseball glove, this record and something to play this record on.  Outside of my own flesh and blood, I've never been prouder of another human for what was accomplished with this record.  I can't confirm this for sure, but if I remember correctly, I was first to hear a number of the early demos for what would become this album, months before they were tracked and sequenced for the final product.  I remember when I received my copies (you damn right I bought a handful), I listened to it about four times that night.  I'd say I felt like a proud father, but James is doing just fine in that department.  In fact, he'll have you know that his dad his a bad ass.  It was more like elated big brother.  Seeing James live out a dream, it makes you want to do something on your own.

James, I know this is a day early, but there is no guarantee that I make it to this part of the house tomorrow, as I am wincing in the worst pain I've ever felt, but I wanted to say Happy Birthday.  But being #69 on this list is no gift, good sir.  You've earned this ...

Please enjoy "Irony is Not a Type of Metal" and "Song for Leslie" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#70)

(#70, Dirt by Alice in Chains)

I've said this a million times, I have no idea why I'm drawn to this band.  Musically, the genre is not really my cup of tea.  Lyrically, I don't relate to much that is being said.  Even the album art here is creepy.  But somehow, when you put it all together, I dig it.  Maybe when you were raised on The Beatles, Elvis Presley and Billy Joel, you need something else to keep it honest.











Here is "Rooster" and "Would?" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#71)

(#71, Under the Table and Dreaming by Dave Matthews Band)

I remember when I first heard "What Would You Say?" on the radio in 1994, I thought it was so much different than everything else I was hearing on the radio at the time.  It was really refreshing.  This album sounds as refreshing now as it did 20 years ago.  My interest in the band has diminished in the last 10 years, but those first three records are still the very, very goods.










Here is "The Best of What's Around" and "What Would You Say?" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#72)

(#72, Boys and Girls in America by The Hold Steady)

You hear the early Springsteen influences all over these Hold Steady records.  This is modern day rock and roll at its finest.  I'm sure Dave Reinholdt (wherever you may be) has this ranked much higher.













Take a listen to "Chips Ahoy!" and "Southtown Girls" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#73)

(#73, In Your Honor by Foo Fighters)

My favorite Foo Fighters record just happens to be the follow up to my least favorite Foo Fighers record, One by One.  While that one has two or three songs that I like, the rest of it doesn't resonate with me, where as this album is perfect from start to finish.  Comprising of two discs (hard rock songs make up disc one, and acoustic songs make up disc two), this album best utilizes all the tools that Grohl and Co. have at their fingertips.  I never tire of this, and listened to it twice yesterday ...








Here is "DOA" and "Still" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#74)

(#74, Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon & Garfunkel)

The swan song from one of the greatest collaborations of all time.  I still like that a year after Paul Simon releases a greatest hits collection and calls it "Songwriter", Art Garfunkel does the same and calls his "The Singer".  Still sounds like there is some animosity there, huh?











Take a listen to "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "The Boxer" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#75)

(#75, Rubber Soul by The Beatles)

My late father's favorite album ever, and Rolling Stone magazine's 5th best album of all time is only my sixth favorite Beatles album of all time.  That being said, there are only 74 albums that I would rather take on a long car ride than this one.  This was the first Beatles album to be recorded in one continuous period of time, instead of being recorded in between concert and TV obligations.  This is also the second Beatles album to feature all original material.








For Dad ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#76)

(#76, Shake Your Money Maker by The Black Crowes)

This band should be bigger than they are.  This is some of the best straight ahead rock and roll of the last 30 years.  We all love Foo Fighters, but these gents should be fielding at least a few of those calls when an awards show needs a "rock band".  This is their debut, and it's fantastic.












Take a listen to "Twice as Hard" and "Hard to Handle" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#77)

(#77, Franks Wild Years by Tom Waits)

It took me a long time to realize it, but this is one of the all time great poets in rock music, and the music here is incredible.  These days, give me James Tristan Redding, Elvis Costello and Tom Waits, and I'm a happy guy.  Again, not for everyone, but definitely for me ...













Here is "Innocent When You Dream" and "Cold Cold Ground" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#78)

(#78, Synchronicity by The Police)

Did anyone really think that this would be it as far as albums from The Police in 1983?  They have stuck to their guns.  What a way to go out.  Not a single note of filler on this record, and it includes a slew of giant hits.  A must own ...













Take a listen to "Synchronicity II" and "Wrapped Around Your Finger" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#79)

(#79, Let It Be by The Replacements)

Many will be shocked that I ranked this album as my favorite album named "Let It Be", or that I did not rank this as my favorite album by The Replacements.  That Replacements record will be revealed in December.   This is a great record, straight ahead rock and roll, with bad ass album art.  So many great songs here ...












Here is "Androgynous" and "Unsatisfied", which is one of my favorite rock vocals ever ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#80)

(#80, When I Was Cruel by Elvis Costello)

I wasn't crazy about this record when it came out, and it took about five years for me to fully embrace it.  Nowadays, I wear the shit out of this record.  This was the first album to feature Davey Faragher on bass.  Some great storytelling here, as is the case with most every Elvis Costello long player.












Take a listen to "45" and "Tear Off Your Own Head (It's a Doll Revolution)" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#81)

(#81, There's No Leaving Now by The Tallest Man on Earth)

One of my biggest pet peeves is when people misuse the word "literally".  But I need to be clear when I say this ... I have literally listened to this album at least once a week for the last two and a half years.  Some weeks, multiple spins, some nights, multiple spins.  It is my go to disc, and has been for a while.  Why didn't I rank it higher?  That is a good question.  If I am ranking albums again ten years from now, this will be much higher.








Here is "Leading Me Now" and "There's No Leaving Now" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#82)

(#82, Chaos and Creation in the Backyard by Paul McCartney)

I won't have a lot of people agree with me on this one, but not only do I think this is the finest Macca solo record ever, I think this is the best solo record ever by ANY of The Beatles.  Alright, let's hear it.  Tell me I'm wrong !













Here is "How Kind of You" and "Jenny Wren" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#83)

(#83, The Discovery of a World Inside the Moone by The Apples in Stereo)

These songs are so sugary, you will get cavities listening to them.  Some of the catchiest damn songs I've ever heard.  Fantastic pop record.















Take a listen to "Go" and "Submarine Dream" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#84)

(#84, Licensed to Ill by Beastie Boys)

Look.  If you are male, and grew up in the mid 80's, and say you didn't own this on cassette, you're lying to yourself, and my readers.  I know this record backwards, forwards, upside down and inside out.  I miss MCA.














Here is "Rhymin and Stealin" and "The New Style" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#85)

(#85, Sgt Disco by Circus Devils)

Perhaps the most unlikely album to crack the top 100.  32 songs, clocking in around 67 minutes.  19 of these songs are less than 2 minutes long.  Song titles like "George Took a Shovel", "Puke It Up", "Hot Lettuce", "Lance the Boiling Son", "War Horsies" and "French Horn Litagation" make me wonder what in the hell this guy is smoking in that Dayton garage, but I gotta tell you, this is brilliant.

What's amazing about this side project of Pollard's is, two years later, the same band put out an album called Gringo, and I bought it, listened to it once, and threw it away later that night.  Only Pollard.




Take a listen to "Bogus Reactions" and "War Horsies" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#86)

(#86, Five Leaves Left by Nick Drake)

This is the debut album of Nick Drake.

Damn, what might have been.















Here is "Time Has Told Me" and "River Man" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#87)

(#87, She by Harry Connick Jr)

I remember at a work Christmas party, years ago, I was asked what guy I'd bang.  I said Harry Connick Jr.  Maybe this is why I don't do work Christmas parties anymore ...

(minutes of awkward silence ...)

This is a funk record by Harry Connick Jr.  It is enjoyable to listen to.  Not your father's Connick, as there is no crooning or jazz to speak of.  But fantastic, anyway.

(more silence ...)

Great record.




Take a listen to "Here Comes the Big Parade" and "To Love the Language" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#88)

(#88, Maladroit by Weezer)

I remember when "The Green Album" came out in 2001, it had been five long years since I heard anything new from Weezer.  Then almost immediately after that record came out, demos for this record started popping up on napster and Weezer's very own website.  These demos were a darker and rocked a little harder that it's predecessor.  I was super excited to land a copy of the final product before the rest of the world (thank you, Vertz), but at first, I was disappointed that the polished versions weren't as raw as what I fell in love with.  But over time, I started to embrace this record more and more, and pull it out almost weekly nowadays.  The new record, Everything Will Be Alright in the End, is easily their best since Maladroit, and is already a staple in my household.



Take a listen to "Take Control" and "Burndt Jamb" ...  R.I.P. Mikey

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#89)

(#89, London Calling by The Clash)

The Clash are categorized as a punk band, but this is a pop album, that hints at punk, rock, raggae and more.  I'm actually surprised that I never warmed up to Combat Rock the way I have embraced this one.  Lots of good stuff here ... and the album art resembles Elvis Presley's debut record ...












Here is "Rudie Can't Fail" and "Train in Vain" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#90)

(#90, Tattoo You by The Rolling Stones)

The purists are calling for my head.  "This isn't a proper studio album!", they'll say.  "There is no new material here", they cry.  Who gives a damn.  Yes, a lot of this is made of outtakes that goes back as far as ten years, but the songs here are fantastic, and the vibe is pure Stones.  Considering all these facts, Mick, Keith and the boys made this sound like this was written and recorded in one take.










Here is "Start Me Up" and "Waiting on a Friend" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#91)

(#91, Lost and Gone Forever by Guster)

I've told this story a million times, and probably a couple of times on this blog.  These gents opened for Barenaked Ladies a long, long time ago at the Bradley Center.   Had no idea who they were, but instantly loved them.  The next day, I went to Exclusive Co to look for the "Duster" record.  Couldn't find it.  Asked the guy behind the counter.  With his snobbish record store charm, he corrected me, and led me to the "Guster" section, where I found this and two other long players.  I'm not sure I understand the meaning of the kid destroying the piano on the cover, but who gives a damn.  This is a great record.  Brian Rosenworcel is Lord.





Here is "What You Wish For" and "Barrel of a Gun" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#92)

(#92, White Blood Cells by The White Stripes)

Thank you, MTV2, for introducing me to this gem of a band.  This has been in heavy rotation for the last 13 years, and it ain't coming out anytime soon.  I'm still easing into the solo Jack White stuff, but until that happens, I will take this any day.

Oh, and Meg White.











Here is "Hotel Yorba" and "Fell in Love With a Girl" ...  Meg White.

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#93)

(#93, Boys for Pele by Tori Amos)

No record pleases me, and at the same time frightens me more than this one does.  I would not want to cross Myra Ellen Amos.  I mean, look at the album art.  Jesus!  Some incredibly powerful songs here.













Take a listen to "Professional Widow" and "Caught a Lite Sneeze" ...

Fugazzi Grand III : My Top 500 Albums (#94)

(#94, Tyrannosaurus Hives by The Hives)

These guys should have become one of the biggest bands in the world, and for some reason, it never happened.  Howlin' Pelle Almqvist is one of the greatest front men I've ever seen, and this band is full of characters.  Although I've never seen them live, they are on the short list of bands that I need to see before I check out.  This album is 100% energy and great to work out to.











Take a listen to "A Little More for Little You" and "B is for Brutus" ...