TVD's Morning Wax

China Crisis - The Highest High (Mp3)
China Crisis - Strength Of Character (Mp3)
China Crisis - You Did Cut Me (Mp3)
China Crisis - Black Man Ray (Mp3)
China Crisis - Gift Of Freedom (Mp3)
...the antidote to every wrong thing.

TVD's Weekend Shots

Man, was I ever addicted to the build 'em up, knock 'em down stylings of the UK's now defunct Melody Maker newspaper. That's the way things happen, the music weekly seemed to infer: it's already going ON by the time you even NOTICE IT. And to underscore that notion, they'd slap a CD onto the cover to confirm that idea.

I moved recently and came across a box of these CDs from the 90's -- Melody Maker give-aways along with other CDs from other pubs that picked up on the schilling process. "A great idea for the blog" I thought, "I'm sure there are a TON of forgotten gems on these things."

Er, ...well. Nope. (Kenickie, anyone? Llama Farmers? Daytona? Ooberman? Seafood? Ten Benson? ...didn't think so.)

I had hope for a "Maker's Dozen" -- being pithy and whatnot -- but I struggled to find TEN tracks I thought held up less than ten years on. So the slant for this round of Weekend Shots went from, "Wow - wasn't the Maker so astute" to "Sheez...utter shite."

Yet, here's a crap free 1o-rounda' shots. How'd I do?


The Crockets - Blusterboy (Mp3)
Supergrass - Cheapskate (Mp3)
The Divine Comedy - Commuter Love (Mp3)
Arab Strap - Here We Go (Mp3)
Whistler - If I Give You A Smile (Mp3)
Stereophonics - Last Of The Big Time Drinkers (Mp3)
Warm Jets - Never Never (Mp3)
Annie Christian - Nothing Is Real (Mp3)
Terrorvision - Tequila (Mp3)
Silver Sun - Would've If I Could've (Mp3)

While TVD Awaits the Vinyl...

...preview with a clear conscience.

TVD's Morning Wax

Liverpool's It's Immaterial actually had a follow up to 1985's "Life's Hard and Then You Die" which very few (Wikipedia included) seem to be aware of. Released in 1990 and entitled "Song", Trouser Press noted, "an ironic title for an album that's more a collection of stories put to music than actual songs. (There's not a chorus anywhere to be found.) Whitehead's tracks — flowing, repetitive patterns, mainly based around piano — function as a soundtrack for Campbell's lyrics, which he both sings and speaks..." Far more somber and introspective than "Life's Hard..." and at times sounding like an early 90's Arab Strap, the wistfulness speaks to this colorless DC morning as storms approach...

It's Immaterial - New Brighton (Mp3)
It's Immaterial - An Ordinary Life (Mp3)
It's Immaterial - Heaven Knows (Mp3)
It's Immaterial - Homecoming (Mp3)
It's Immaterial - Summer Winds (Mp3)

TVD Remembers:

Lucky Dube

Lucky Dube - My Brother My Enemy (Mp3)

TVD's Morning Wax

On September 4th 1995 some of the best bands and musicians in Britain entered studios all over Europe. Their intention was that by the end of the day they would each have recorded a track for this album, with the aim of raising money for and focusing, attention on, the children caught up in the war in former Yugoslavia. This album was a result of everyone’s HELP.

Mon Sept 4th 1995 - The cream of British Pop recording exclusive tracks against the clock in recording studios around the UK. Tues Sept 5th 1995 - Masters cut and flown to Blackburn for cut of CD and Holland for cassette. Wed Sept 6th 1995 - The first run of three hundred thousand copies of the album manufactured. Thur Sept 7th 1995 - Albums delivered to PolyGram's North London distribution centre. Fri Sept 8th 1995 - 'HELP' distributed to record stores throughout Britain. Sat Sept 9th 1995 - 'HELP' on sale from 9.00am.

Stone Roses - Love Spreads (Mp3)
Radiohead - Lucky (Mp3)
Suede - Shipbuilding (Mp3)
Manic Street Preachers - Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head (Mp3)
Terrorvision - Tom Petty Loves Veruca Salt (Mp3)

War Child International info...

U2's 'Joshua Tree' Blooms Again

A double-vinyl package is planned.
To celebrate the 20th birthday of its landmark album "The Joshua Tree," U2 is reissuing the set in four different incarnations on Nov. 20 via UMe. The album will be available as a remastered single CD, a 2-CD set, a 2-CD/1-DVD collectible box and a double-vinyl package.

The single-disc will be housed in a jewel case, but the 2-CD set comes in a hard back case. The 2-CD/1-DVD version has a base and lid to accommodate the discs as well as five portfolio prints. Band members have contributed new liner notes for the package.

Of most interest to fans is the inclusion of rare material on the expanded editions. Although details have yet to be announced, "Joshua Tree" demos, alternate versions and B-sides from the period are expected to appear.

The DVD is understood to comprise a July 4, 1987, show at the Paris Hippodrome, as well as the documentary "Outside It's America."

Produced by Brian Eno, "The Joshua Tree" shot U2's commercial fortunes into the stratosphere. The album's first three tracks were huge singles, with both "With or Without You" and "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" hitting No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
(via Billboard)

TVD's Morning Wax

Five from Gary Clark's post-Danny Wilson band King L:

King L - The Dumbest Story (Mp3)
King L - Dreamdays (Mp3)
King L - Life After You (Mp3)
King L - Two Cars Collide (Mp3)
King L - Lost and Found and Lost Again (Mp3)

(Make sure you listen all the way to the end of "Lost and Found..." to hear the secret tune "Last Cigarette." Songwriting at its finest...)

TVD's Morning Wax

When it comes to the Posies, I always thought I was a Ken guy. Turns out I was a Jon guy. Five from one of the best releases from the year that was 2006 P.B. (Pre blog...)

Jon Auer - Six Feet Under (Mp3)
Jon Auer - Bottom Of The Bottle (Mp3)
Jon Auer - The Likes Of You (Mp3)
Jon Auer - Angelita (Mp3)
Jon Auer - You Used To Drive Me Around (Mp3)

TVD's Morning Wax

A bit of a recommendation this morning -- from Berlin via NYC: Bee and Flower.
Bee and Flower - Don't Say Don't Worry (Mp3)
Bee and Flower - Last Sight Of Land (Mp3)
Bee and Flower - I Know Your Name (Mp3)
Bee and Flower - Riding On Empty (Mp3)
Bee and Flower - Wounded Walking (Mp3)

TVD's Weekend Shots

Fifteen (count 'em - fifteen) tracks from Universal's 1999 set: 1 2 3 4 Punk and New Wave 1976-1979:

The Lurkers - Shadow (Mp3)
Eater - Thinkin' Of the USA (Mp3)
The Nosebleeds - Ain't Bin to No Music School (Mp3)
Sham 69 - Borstal Breakout (Mp3)
Suburban Studs - I Hate School (Mp3)
Menace - G.L.C (Mp3)
The Adverts - One Chord Wonders (Mp3)
Chelsea - Right to Work (Mp3)
The Killjoys - Johnny Won't Get To Heaven (Mp3)
The Drones - Bone Idol (Mp3)
Slaughter - Where Have All The Boot Boys Gone (Mp3)
UK Subs - C.I.D. (Mp3)
The Wasps - Can't Wait 'Til '78(Mp3)
Subway Sect - Ambition (Mp3)
The Saints - (I'm) Stranded (Mp3)

A 5-CD (I know, I know...) boxed set compilation of punk/new wave songs. Probably the most comprehensive and definitive punk collection - certainly the most lavishly packaged. The 100 tracks are spread over 5 CDs, each in its own cardboard envelope. The 5 envelopes can be put together to make one big picture. There is a booklet with a general introduction, followed by one page for each of the 100 tracks, containing information on the artist and recommendations of which of their records to buy. The booklet has 4 silver badges on the cover, and they poke through the front of the box to provide the title ("1 2 3 4").

TVD's Morning Wax

The rerelease of the Sprout's Thomas Dolby-produced "Steve McQueen" has had me rethinking the LP recorded after "McQueen" but released after their biggest commercial success "From Langley Park to Memphis." For me, this is where it all gels...not over-produced, less saccharine, and actually consistent from track to track. As much as I do adore "McQueen", it falls apart on side two for me...not here however.

Prefab Sprout - The World Awake (Mp3)
Prefab Sprout - Life Of Surprises (Mp3)
Prefab Sprout - Wicked Things (Mp3)
Prefab Sprout - Dublin (Mp3)
Prefab Sprout - Pearly Gates (Mp3)

TVD's Morning Wax

I've noticed an unseen, yet strong undercurrent to what gets posted here each morning, almost like walking into a glass door when you thought no door was there at all. It's all seasonal—my relationship to music, enhanced by memory of a place and time—has it's own life in the trees, be them green, orange or simply bare. And in today's instance it's Fall, 1994 where this record spun continuously. I was single, living alone in the Cairo, ordering take-out nightly, the recipient of far too many noise complaints, and the leaves were turning—so loud you could hear it. Like this very morning when for the first time I put on a coat to head out into Fall, 2007.

Grant Lee Buffalo - Mockingbirds (Mp3)
Grant Lee Buffalo - Mighty Joe Moon (Mp3)
Grant Lee Buffalo - Lady Godiva And Me (Mp3)
Grant Lee Buffalo - Happiness (Mp3)
Grant Lee Buffalo - Honey Don't Think (Mp3)

(On Wednesday, November 9, 1994 it seems I saw Grant Lee Buffalo at the 930's first home at 930 F Street, NW. How do I know? I save each ticket stub and tuck it in the LP or CD. This show cost $9.00.)

TVD: Just sayin.

TVD's Morning Wax

Lead singer/songwriter Justin Currie wrote in the liner notes for the 2003 rerelease of Del Amitri's first LP, "Of course we had a philosophy so strict that it eventually strangled us. No chords, no choruses, no distortion, no synthesizers and definitely no long hair. Melody was God. There are more tunes between the twin guitar parts and bass lines in one backing track from this era of Del Amitri than in every top-line melody I have written since. It was, of course, a crackpot idea, but in my rock-and-roll dotage it holds a lot of charm. Whether anybody else in this age of entertainment will be so disarmed I doubt very much. It is a curiosity I hope, not a monstrosity. Too many f*cking words though?"

Not for me.

Del Amitri - Hammering Heart (Mp3)
Del Amitri - Former Owner (Mp3)
Del Amitri - I Was Here (Mp3)
Del Amitri - Crows In The Wheatfield (Mp3)
Del Amitri - Breaking Bread (Mp3)

Just imagine...
John Lennon - Here We Go Again (Mp3)
John Lennon - Steel and Glass (Mp3)
John Lennon - Old Dirt Road (Mp3)
John Lennon - Nobody Loves You (When You're Down and Out) (Mp3)
John Lennon - Bless You (Mp3)

TVD will just keep on recommending:

Hamell on Trial

TVD's Morning Wax

It's Immaterially Monday.
It's Immaterial - Driving Away From Home (Jim's Tune) (Mp3)
It's Immaterial - Space (Mp3)
It's Immaterial - The Better Idea (Mp3)
It's Immaterial - Hang On Sleepy Town (Mp3)
It's Immaterial - Lullaby (Mp3)

TVD's Weekend Shots

Chet Baker - Everything Depends On You (Mp3)
Chet Baker - Everything Happens To Me (Mp3)
Chet Baker - Grey December (Mp3)
Chet Baker - I Fall In Love Too Easily (Mp3)
Chet Baker - I Get Along Without You Very Well (Mp3)
Chet Baker - I Wish I Knew (Mp3)
Chet Baker - Like Someone In Love (Mp3)
Chet Baker - Moonlight Becomes You (Mp3)
Chet Baker - The Thrill Is Gone (Mp3)
Chet Baker - These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You) (Mp3)

...some Chet Baker to come home to tonight and a 12" Canvas Retrospective of his career on vinyl. (I could have posted a zillion covers...they're that cool, man.)

TVD's Morning Wax

Uh, who?
Eric Matthews - Ideas That Died That Day (Mp3)
Eric Matthews - My Morning Parade (Mp3)
Eric Matthews - Pair Of Cherry (Mp3)
Eric Matthews - Since The Wheel Free (Mp3)
Eric Matthews - No Gnashing Teeth (Mp3)

TVD (Doubly) Recommends

Well, this and red wine.

Bookshop Casanova

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The Clientele - Reflections After Jane

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TVD's Morning Wax

So, I'm over at Som Records last weekend and I finally purchase the (not so) new Clientele LP, "God Save the Clientele." (A sublime album by the way -- a band firing on all cylinders...) More interesting is the sticker top right on the LP which reads "FREE DIGITAL DOWNLOAD - As a special bonus for vinyl fans who are also digitally inclined, we are offering a free download of the entire album with purchase of this LP. DETAILS AND COUPON INSIDE." Nice, huh? What a way to slide vinyl back into the semi-mainstream by not slapping the hand of those who wish to have the 12" AND the music on their iPod. (Obvious innovation here along the lines of the Radiohead surprise download/LP package release this week.) Kudos go to Merge Records for this forward innovation (while clearly harking back to the Vinyl Days.) Swell packaging too...

The Clientele - Here Comes The Phantom (Mp3)
The Clientele - Isn't Life Strange (Mp3)
The Clientele - From Brighton Beach To Santa Monica (Mp3)
The Clientele - The Queen Of Seville (Mp3)
The Clientele - Bookshop Casanova (Mp3)

TVD's Morning Wax

...for you Meshuggah fans, a Kent 2-fer:
Kent - The King Is Dead (Mp3)
Kent - Revolt III (Mp3)
Kent - Music Non Stop (Mp3)
Kent - Kevlar Soul (Mp3)
Kent - Stay With Me (Mp3)