Maximo Park, "Hips And Lips"

Slam Donahue, "C'mon C'mon"

Army Navy, "World's End"

Nick Miller And The Hustle Standard, "Ghost"

Milo Greene, "Don't You Give Up On Me"

Hello Echo, "Country"

Atlas Genius, "Symptoms"

Cypress Hill, "Insane In the Brain"

From 1993, here's Cypress Hill with "Insane In The Brain."

Enjoy!

First Look: The To Do List

Aubrey Plaza has a new movie coming out on Valentine's Day. Here's the red-band teaser for it:

The Naked Truth According To John Taylor

When you realize how much of a beloved icon John Taylor truly is, it's almost too late. No longer part of the smiling bleached-blond madcap pop quartet that first burst onto the scene at the dawn of the '80s, he's now a longstanding member of a much-respected band who has ridden out the peaks and gutters of the industry with the tenacity of someone holding on for dear life.

There is no "right way" to earn longevity in the business, but I reckon you might find out a few of his secrets if you pick up a copy of his new book In The Pleasure Groove: Love, Death & Duran Duran.

Learn how a shy, floppy-haired boy named Nigel ascended to the highest mountain of pop stardom, came crashing down, and then climbed back up again with a little more wisdom and humility.

Be on the lookout for it October 16th!

The Burning Of Rome, "Ballad Of An Onion Sprout"

From 2012, here's The Burning Of Rome with "Ballad Of An Onion Sprout."

Enjoy!

Lawless: Beach Blanket Bondurant

I'm fairly certain that you need not have read Matt Bondurant's somewhat true historical novel The Wettest County In The World to be gleefully anticipating the Wednesday premiere of John Hillcoat's star-packed Lawless.

Here's why I'm interested in a movie where Sam Witwicky, Comissioner Gordon, Peter Weyland, and Bane (sporting a weathered-looking Mr. Rogers cardigan) brew hooch and perpetrate violence: they wear hats, have warm southern drawls, and cause a rip in the fabric of the universe resulting from too much method acting in a small space.

So what say you? Will you make time to watch a dark, gritty prohibition period piece about Virginia moonshiners starring Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy, Guy Pearce, Gary Oldman, and Jessica Chastain? Or will you be spending your money elsewhere?

Hold Back The Rain

You can't keep a good band down. Unless of course a vital and irreplaceable cog in the music wheel is struck down with a mystery illness that causes cancellations and delays. Trying to wrap your head around the idea that Duran Duran could go on stage minus the ageless and iconic Nick Rhodes is something most people can't do. And that is exactly why they've had to bail out on the remaining dates on this leg of their North American tour.

The doctors seem to think it's viral in nature and coupled with the exhaustion of endless touring, I'm sure he's due a good rest. Here's to hoping he recovers fully and that rescheduling happens sooner rather than later for the millions of loyal and rabid fans everywhere!

Get well soon, mate!

Baltimora, "Tarzan Boy"

From 1985, here's Baltimora with "Tarzan Boy."

Enjoy!

Bizarre Television Moments: Stephanie Calls Kimmy a WHAT?

There's never been any love lost between Kimmy and Stephanie in Full House, but Stephanie really doesn't hold back in this cleverly-punned insult.

Wait, what? Did Stephanie just call Kimmy a WHORE? Now, upon further review, it seems that Stephanie was probably meaning to say HORROR-scope, as in Kimmy's face is a HORROR, but we can't unhear it. No doubt the director also noticed the similarity, but probably kept it in for the adults to find amusement.

Considering Bob Saget's comedy was pretty R-rated to begin with, I am sure that wasn't the most scandalous thing said on the set. I love watching this blooper real, where the adults are raunchier than a high school locker room. Language is NSFW, obviously.

First Look: How To Make Money Selling Drugs

This doc looks cool. Or maybe it's a how-to video.

First Look: Sleigh Bells, "End Of The Line"

New Sleigh Bells video!

Indyns, "Fields Lie Fallow"

From 2012, here's Indyns with "Fields Lie Fallow."

Enjoy!

First Look: The Hives, "Wait A Minute"

The Hives just released a very sweaty video for "Wait A Minute:"

First Look: Toys In The Attic

No Buzz or Woody in this one!

Space Fight, "22"

From 2012, here's Space Fight with "22."

Enjoy!

Top 100 Albums Of The '80s (Nos. 1-10)

For this week's Ranked!, we've got one of our most epic editions ever: the Top 100 Albums Of The '80s. Did we get it right? Let us know!

Here are Numbers 1-10:

10. U2, The Joshua Tree

U2's The Joshua Tree was actually the band's fifth album, but it's the one that made U2 one of the biggest bands in rock history. It's practically a greatest hits album now because so many of the songs off the album are so key to the U2 catalogue. It's one of the best selling albums of all time, and deservedly so, because even 25 years later it still holds up. Yes, there are some U2 albums that I like more now, but "Joshua Tree" is the cool old guy that you still invite to dinner.--Archphoenix

Top 20 Albums Of The '80s (Nos. 11-20)

For this week's Ranked!, we've got one of our most epic editions ever: the Top 100 Albums Of The '80s. Did we get it right? Let us know!

Here are Numbers 11-20:

20. Madonna, Like A Prayer

Rolling Stone hails this one "as close to art as pop gets." The range on the this album really is incredibly done by this icon. Even close to twenty years later, everyone understands the power of Madonna. Tracks like "Express Yourself" empower us, while videos for songs like "Like A Prayer" make us think (or riot, depending on what side of the fence you're on). The tour that followed, The Blonde Ambition Tour, is even still hailed as one of the best ever. Madonna can do so much right and wrong and still achieve so much greatness, there's no way an album of hers can be left off of a top list!--J-Hawke

First Look: Butter

This looks funny as hell!

Tom Hardy And Bang Bang Chicken: Both Recommended By Mel Gibson

In January of 1996, during a visit to the UK, friends and I patronized a posh Chinese restaurant on the outskirts of the Knightsbridge neighborhood where we were staying. Just hours before our arrival, Mel Gibson had exited with his companions after enjoying a meal he deemed "superb." The waitstaff stood proudly over our menu-holding posse while brandishing a large scratch pad and spinning the now famous story of Mad Max And The Glorious Bang Bang Chicken. It would become legend because Mel and his mates apparently were in stitches, repeating the words "bang bang chicken" in a bizarre and animated manner until the dish actually arrived. Then everyone ate and went home. Faced with the idea that we might be bold enough to reject the entree that had actually pushed its way down the gullet of an Aussie superstar mere hours before our arrival, the head waiter leveled a stern look at our table and told us without words exactly what we should be ordering.

We obeyed.

Cut to 2012 and a devastating downward spiral has befallen the juggernaut of yesteryear. His career is all but extinguished due to a series of bad choices, off-color rants, drunken escapades, and all-around jackassery. Nowadays it would be fair to say that getting the stamp of approval from Gibson would be considered faint praise indeed. As a matter of fact, some might consider it more toxic than the kiss of death, with one exception. Mad Max.

Madonna, "Like A Prayer"

From 1989, here's Madonna with "Like A Prayer."

Enjoy!

Top 100 Albums Of The '80s (Nos. 21-30)

For this week's Ranked!, we've got one of our most epic editions ever: the Top 100 Albums Of The '80s. Did we get it right? Let us know!

Here are Numbers 21-30:

30. Violent Femmes, Violent Femmes

Even though Violent Femmes wasn't a big hit at the time of its release, you cannot deny its place in popular culture. It is partially responsible for the acceptance of "alternative" or "college" music. And I don't care when you attended, you can't tell me Violent Femmes wasn't the official soundtrack to one or two of your favorite college memories.

And how could it not? Pound for pound, Violent Femmes is the most solid disc on this list. There's no filler at all on this album. In fact, you'd be hard pressed to name an album that has a stronger four-track start than the Violent Femmes' "Blister In The Sun," "Kiss Off," "Please Do Not Go," and "Add It Up."--Chris

Top 100 Albums Of The '80s (31-40)

For this week's Ranked!, we've got one of our most epic editions ever: the Top 100 Albums Of The '80s. Did we get it right? Let us know!

Here are Numbers 31-40:

40. Phish, Junta

Who would have guessed that Phish, of all bands, would turn into the cultural behemoth it has become?  At the time I wouldn't have picked Vermont's greatest export as anything more than a college band with a quirky sound, but the roots of their future greatness are on brilliant display on Junta.  In fact, I'd argue that Junta is actually one of Phish' most accessible albums, owing largely to quirky but relatively digestible tunes like "Esther," "Fluffhead," and "Fee," the latter being one of my favorite songs of all time.  That doesn't preclude them from some of the experimental indulgences that have come to define their career.  "The Divided Sky" clocks in at a cozy 12 minutes and "Union Federal" is over 25 minutes, conjuring images of Spinal Tap's "Jazz Odyssey" phase.  But they never cease to be anything but fun, spinning a party platter that meanders from groove to groove, punctuated by moments that make you say, "Wait, rewind that. I want to hear that part again."  God knows there's a lot of Phish music out there to listen to (cloud-computing was invented to store their bootlegs), but if you're a casual listener who might want to check Phish out, Junta is where I would start.  It's where I did.--CroutonBoy

A Wishlist For The Final Season Of The Office

Show creator Greg Daniels announced that the upcoming ninth season of The Office will be its last. I've had a rocky relationship with the show, first hesitant to watch it because I was such a fan of the original British show. I stayed with the show mostly because I loved Dwight's character; there is something dark and disturbed about his character, and I, well, enjoy things that are dark and disturbed.

Initially, I enjoyed Pam and Jim's flirtatious courtship, but like many TV romances, the excitement fizzled when they finally got together. At first, you were rooting for these two crazy kids, and then suddenly, it seemed that in the span of only a few episodes, they were married with kids and still working in the same place. Is that what you call a fairy tale ending?

Many fans lost interest after Steve Carell's departure, but I saw it as a chance for the minor characters to have their chance in the spotlight, and it's these minor characters that make the show great. Erin (Ellie Kemper), first introduced as simply an airhead, has grown into her own, and Ed Helms, Craig Robinson, and B.J. Novak are some of the best in the business when it comes to subtle comedy and great delivery.

How do you end a much beloved show after nine seasons? With a big hoopla and plot twist? I hope not, because the main appeal of the show is its focus on the mundane and every day situations. Here are ten things I hope the final season will bring:

1. If Michael Scott (Steve Carell) does make another appearance, it should be for a quick cameo. There was lots of buildup to him leaving and that would be for naught if he came back, but to give fans some closure, I think this cameo should just give enough information to know what is going on with the character.
    
2. Can Gabe get a break? I know the intense hatred of him and his mass douchery is much of the enjoyment, but for some reason I'm always rooting for him.
    
3. Please, for the sake of everyone, do not make Jim and Pam have another baby. They became insufferable after the first one.
    

Dire Straits, "Money For Nothing"

From 1985, here's Dire Straits with "Money For Nothing."

Enjoy!

Top 100 Albums Of The '80s (Nos. 41-50)

For this week's Ranked!, we've got one of our most epic editions ever: the Top 100 Albums Of The '80s. Did we get it right? Let us know!

Here are Numbers 41-50:

50. Ramones, End Of The Century

Some point to End Of The Century as the beginning of the downfall, as the End Of The Ramones, but for me it was their last great album. Phil Spector produced the album, which featured songs a minute or so longer than the usual Ramones fare. But you still got classics like "Do You Remember Rock 'N' Roll Radio?," "Danny Says," "Chinese Rock," and "Rock 'N' Roll High School."--Chris

Top 100 Albums Of The '80s (Nos. 51-60)

For this week's Ranked!, we've got one of our most epic editions ever: the Top 100 Albums Of The '80s. Did we get it right? Let us know!

Here are Numbers 51-60:

60. Adam Ant, Friend Or Foe

I loved Adam Ant and Friend Or Foe was by far his crowning achievement. With its sexed-up music video, "Goody Two Shoes" (the first of only two US Top 20 singles for Ant) led the way for Friend Or Foe's success. But don't think this album was a one-trick pony. You also had a cover of The Doors' "Hello, I Love You," as well as the excellent "Place In The Country" and "Desperate But Not Serious." But the main standout on the album is my favorite Adam Ant song of all time, "Friend Or Foe," the ultimate bite-me-if-you-don't-like-me track.--Chris

21 Jump Street Recap: The Gang Goes Punk

Look, I understand that when this episode, "Mean Streets And Pastel Houses," was written, there was no Wikipedia, so they couldn't fully research what "the punk movement" was all about. But I assume there were books on the topic. Or maybe SOMEONE they could have consulted? All I am saying is wow, they got it wrong. Real punks would be really insulted, and punks are rarely insulted.

Wow, really?

The Greek Chorus of pre-credit interludes shows us two rival hooligans taunting each other in the cars. Somehow someone hangs out a window and falls out of the moving car and is badly injured. One of the cars is all "oh shit" and speeds away.

There is a rash of vandalism in the city, from two groups called "Klean Kut Kids" and "Your Friendly Neighbors," who are rival misfit gangs. Instead of say, doing patrols in an unmarked car to catch the culprits (thus saving the city millions of dollars in salary), they send our Jump Street Squad undercover into the seedy underbelly (if a seedy underbelly was an abandoned grocery store warehouse). Because, well, you just do. Penhall assumes it's going to be him, because he's badass.

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, "If You Leave"

From 1986, here's Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark with "If You Leave."

Enjoy!

Top 100 Albums Of The '80s (Nos. 61-70)

For this week's Ranked!, we've got one of our most epic editions ever: the Top 100 Albums Of The '80s. Did we get it right? Let us know!

Here are Numbers 61-70:

70. The Who, Who's Last

I've written many times about how I discovered many of my favorite classic rock bands through their '80s work and then worked my way back through their catalogs to hear their earlier stuff. In the case of The Who, my task of discovering their classics was pretty easy. After Face Dances (1981) and It's Hard (1982) got me interested, the band decided to break up after doing a farewell tour (the first of many). The result was Who's Last which, for me, served as an excellent live introduction to classic Who, with 17 tracks that spanned pretty much their entire career. Although it's not always the case when I buy a greatest hits-type collection, Who's Last whet my appetite for more classic Who, and started me on a buying spree of Who albums so that I could hear what else they had to offer. If you're a fan of the band and you never got a chance to see them live (which I did, twice), you should really pick up Who's Last. It's the next best thing to being there.--Dave

Top 100 Albums Of The '80s (Nos. 71-80)

For this week's Ranked!, we've got one of our most epic editions ever: the Top 100 Albums Of The '80s. Did we get it right? Let us know!

Here are Numbers 71-80:

80. Indigo Girls, Indigo Girls

Two chicks, two acoustic guitars, and killer blended harmonies. For a girl who was doing a lot of singing at the time, this album was pretty extraordinary. I listened to it the other day and I still wanted to sing along. Fun fact: this album got the Indigo Girls nominated for the Best New Artist Grammy, which they lost to... Milli Vanilli. (You know, the Grammy was later revoked when it came out that they didn't actually sing.)--Archphoenix

Bizarre Television Moments: Mr. Belvedere Teaches Us About AIDS

From context, it is likely that the family learns about AIDS from a neighborhood kid that has the disease. At first, they are probably scared, but then they realize that he is just like them! There's no harm in that, but did they have to make it so... abrupt?

First Look/Listen: The Sheepdogs, "The Way It Is"

Awesome video!

Indigo Girls, "Closer To Fine"

From 1989, here's Indigo Girls with "Closer To Fine."

Enjoy!

Top 100 Albums Of The '80s (Nos. 81-90)

For this week's Ranked!, we've got one of our most epic editions ever: the Top 100 Albums Of The '80s. Did we get it right? Let us know!

Here are Numbers 81-90:

90. ZZ Top, Eliminator

Without question, the hottest car on the road in 1983 was made 50 years earlier. The iconic 1933 Ford Coupe that graced the cover of Eliminator and served as a chariot for hot women on MTV was easily the coolest thing on wheels and no keychain was complete without a shiny "ZZ" hanging from it. You wouldn't think three dude with Rip Van Winkle beards would become music video celebrities, but you cannot discount the awesome hat trick of "Gimme All Your Lovin'," "Sharp Dressed Man," and "Legs." Although those are the songs most people remember best, the rest of the album is all killer and no filler, packed to the brim with stunning Texas boogie like "Dirty Dog," "I Got the Six," and my personal favorite, "You Got Me Under Pressure." I'd still hop in that Ford Coupe if it pulled up in front of my house without hesitation. Wherever it's going is someplace I'd want to be.--CroutonBoy

Top 100 Albums Of The '80s (Nos. 91-100)

For this week's Ranked!, we've got one of our most epic editions ever: the Top 100 Albums Of The '80s. Did we get it right? Let us know!

Here are Numbers 91-100:

100. Social Distortion, Mommy's Little Monster

I love a good debut album. It's the music you play when nobody is watching, before the pundits and pigeonholes set in. Mommy's Little Monster announced Social Distortion to the world as a tough-talking punk band with a straightforward attack. Yet there's skill behind that raucous noise; the guitar in "Hour Of Darkness" is proof.

What's really interesting is that the evolution to their signature sound had already begun. It would be another album before they nailed it, but stronger melodies are emerging, along with a little bit of country twang. "Another State Of Mind" is the first sign of the heart of gold that has always lurked beneath Mike Ness's rough edges.

1983 was a weird year for punk. Into The Unknown saw Bad Religion go pretty badly awry, while the Clash were slowly falling apart. Mommy's Little Monster had no such issues. It was loud, obnoxious and all kinds of fun.--Amanda

Sex House: A Perfect Reality Show Parody

It's been twenty years since the first season of The Real World ("Are you a drug dealer? Why do you have a beeper?”) and pop culture has jumped on the reality show bandwagon and has vowed to never get off until the end of time, it seems. It's surprising that two of the best reality show parodies have only just come about this year. Earlier this year, Ken Marino starred in the Ben Stiller-produced Burning Love, a fantastic and spot-on parody of The Bachelor franchise.



I only recently became aware of the web series, Sex House, produced by The Onion Digital Studios. I know, right? Did you even know that The Onion had a network? Sex House is a mock reality show about people living in a house, and true to The Onion's abilities to produce brilliant satire, are there for simply the role reason to have sex for the camera. After all, once you strip away the pretense of a reason or competition, that's what these trashy shows are for, obviously.

ZZ Top, "Legs"

From 1983, here's ZZ Top with "Legs."

Enjoy!

AWOLNATION, "Kill Your Heroes"

Hero Jr., "Naked"

A Loss For Words, "Raining Excuses"

Rennes Les Bains Clan, "What You Fighting For"

Oberhofer, "Cruisin FDR"

He's My Brother She's My Sister, "Electric Love"

Ugly Kids Club, "Sharpshooter"

A Rocket To The Moon, "Whole Lotta You"

Ramones, "Rockaway Beach"

From 1977, here's "Rockaway Beach" by the Ramones.

Enjoy!

Top 20 Albums Of 1989 (Nos. 1-5)

For this week's Ranked!, we completed our look back at the '80s with our our twenty favorite albums released in 1989. Did we get it right? Let us know in the comments!

Here are numbers 1-5:

5. Motley Crue, Dr. Feelgood

This album is just a fantastic album from start to finish. It was also the real end of the greatness of the Crue - Vince Neill left the band (or got fired, depending on who you talk to) after the album and the rise of grunge kind of killed metal. It's a shame because this is certainly the best album that Motley Crue ever put out. And now I have the title track firmly lodged in my head. Anyone else?--Archphoenix

Top 20 Albums Of 1989 (Nos. 6-10)

For this week's Ranked!, we completed our look back at the '80s with our our twenty favorite albums released in 1989. Did we get it right? Let us know in the comments!

Here are numbers 6-10:

10. Tom Petty, Full Moon Fever

Full Moon Fever has a special place in my heart. It was the first music I ever bought on CD, and I listened to it repeatedly just to enjoy the (probably imagined) clarity of this new and exciting medium. The CD even had a clever interlude where Petty, with what sounds like a lively farm in the background, offers a moment of silence for the people who have to stand up and flip their LPs and cassettes over. Of course that isn't what gets you on a list of the best of 1989... it's the music, and it's Tom Petty's finest album by far. Clearly energized by their year with the Traveling Wilburys, Petty and producer Jeff Lynne pulled together a batch of songs looser and more relaxed than anything Petty had done with the Heartbreakers to date. "I Won't Back Down" is simple but effective, vignettes like "The Apartment Song" and "Yer So Bad" conjure amusingly human stories that would make Dylan proud, and the propulsive "Runnin' Down a Dream" was so much fun that I actually had a 'routine' that I would act out with a buddy whenever it came on the radio. (It was college... you do what you can to stand out). The highlight for me is "Free Fallin'," which can make a legitimate case for being the best song of the last 25 years, with evocative lyrics and a chorus that both giveth and--with a well-timed pause--taketh away. I still have that original CD, it's jewel case warn and chipped, and you know what? It does sound a hell of a lot better than my cassettes.--CroutonBoy

Top 20 Albums Of 1989 (Nos. 11-15)

For this week's Ranked!, we completed our look back at the '80s with our our twenty favorite albums released in 1989. Did we get it right? Let us know in the comments!

Here are numbers 11-15:

15. Skid Row, Skid Row

Let's face it--bands like Skid Row simply aren't bands that are destined to leave an indelible mark on the musical world. Although there was a short window (about 1988-1992) during which bands like this didn't look utterly ridiculous on stage, looking back now it's hard to believe that anyone ever took them even remotely seriously.

That said, I used to hang out at strip clubs and at a mega-venue in Baltimore called Hammerjacks back in the late '80s and early '90s, and hair bands were high on the playlist at that time. Even then, Skid Row was somewhere in the middle of the pack at best as far as I was concerned, but I did love to rock out to several of the songs on the Skid Row album--especially "18 And Life," "Youth Gone Wild," and "I Remember You" (the last being the obligatory power ballad of the bunch). Skid Row was one of the first CDs I ever bought, along with albums by Poison, Mötley Crüe, and Guns N' Roses, all of whom are going to be better remembered than Skid Row.

I was surprised to see that Skid Row has released five albums, the most recent of which came out in 2006. Maybe their new stuff is good... I don't know. For me, Skid Row was the beginning and the end of my interest in the band. They were a product of their time--and, at the time, I thought they were pretty decent.--Dave

Top 20 Albums Of 1989 (Nos. 16-20)

For this week's Ranked!, we completed our look back at the '80s with our our twenty favorite albums released in 1989. Did we get it right? Let us know in the comments!

Here are numbers 16-20:

20. Camper Van Beethoven, Key Lime Pie

This was Camper's last album before they broke up (until they reformed a decade later). But Camper fans were not sad for long: David Lowery formed (the superior, IMHO) Cracker two years later. Key Lime Pie's best tracks: "When I Win the Lottery," "Jack Ruby," and the band's biggest hit, a cover of Status Quo's "Pictures Of Matchstick Men."--Chris

First Look/Listen: Green Day, "Oh Love"

First Look/Listen: 3OH!3, "You're Gonna Love This"

Vegas, baby!

Jackson Browne, "Lawyers In Love"

From 1983, here's Jackson Browne with "Lawyers In Love."

Enjoy!

Seven Questions In Heaven With Stellar Corpses

Today we're spending Seven Questions In Heaven with guitarist Emilio Menze and bassist Dan Lamothe of Stellar Corpses.

Describe your music for our readers who may not be familiar with you.
MENZE: I would describe us as a band that has an arsenal of infectious, singalong anthems that you will be humming to yourself days after seeing us. We have a dark morbid sense of humor and storytelling that we incorporate into whiplash-inducing punk, but with the power of an upright bass instead of a traditional bass guitar.

Who are your musical influences and idols?
MENZE: One of our obvious influences is Glenn Danzig because of his work and all the doors he's opened for bands of our nature. I personally look up to Joey and Dee Dee Ramone.

What was the first album, cassette, or CD you bought with your own money?
MENZE: I think the very first piece of music I bought was a Beavis And Butt-Head cassette, ha ha! It would have a few songs, then them making fun of it and being stupid. I also remember well in high school trimming lawns in my neighborhood with a weed whacker and as soon as I got paid, I'dd go to a record store and buy any Misfits albums I could find.

Some of your songs contain nods to horror movies like The Lost Boys, Cemetary Man, and The Evil Dead. How long have you had a fascination with horror movies? What draws you to them? What's your favorite horror flick of all time?
MENZE: I've always loved Halloween; it was such a big deal to me when I was a kid. I've always loved horror movies too, but when I was young they scared the hell out of me. I think a big part of why I like horror now is because it's such a vivid, wild form of art, right in your face. I think people really get into the thrill of vicariously living through dangerous and terrifying events from the comfort of their local movie theater or living room. Its fucking cool. My favorite horror movie is the original Nightmare On Elm Street.

Bizarre Television Moments: The 90210 Gang Ends Racism With The Electric Slide

What was going through our heads in the nineties? I lived through it and I couldn't even tell you. One thing I do know, in hindsight, is that there was very little irony. Most television was done in earnest, and I, as a teenager, ingested it in true faith.



Nothing is more nineties than the original 90210, and this clip blows my mind. Where to begin? First, the gang hosts a dance with a neighboring urban (read: black) high school that has a history of violence. Everyone's nervous that something will go down, but David Silver raps his way in the hearts of the students. Then, why not mend race relations with the Electric Slide? Also, Brenda is wearing chunky socks with her boots. And Andrea looks about thirty-eight years old. (My favorite part is at 1:42).

May I also remind you that IRL, David Silver is Mr. Megan Fox?

On the bright side, I am thrilled that the cast is making an appearance in Old Navy commercials. Ever wonder what Brandon and Dylan would be like in their forties? Wonder no longer.



I would have and will always choose Brandon, in case you were wondering.

First Look: Seven Psychopaths

This looks awesome!

The Ting Tings, "That's Not My Name"

From 2008, here's The Ting Tings with "That's Not My Name."

Enjoy!

Night Visions: Our Interview With Imagine Dragons

If you check out the nominations for this year's MTV VMAs, you'll notice some familiar names nominated for Best Rock Video: The Black Keys, Coldplay, Jack White, and Linkin Park. One nominee quickly on its way to becoming a household name is Imagine Dragons, a Las Vegas band who will release their debut album next month. We spoke with guitarist Wayne Sermon about the MTV nomination, what he thought of the band's chances, and their upcoming album.

Congratulations on being nominated for an MTV Video Music Award for Best Rock Video. How does it feel? What were you doing when you found out? Were you surprised?
I was sleeping and got a call from Dan [Reynolds, lead singer] early in the morning. He was elated. I was just as surprised as him. It was a pretty incredible shock.

You're up against some pretty stiff competition: Jack White, The Black Keys, Linkin Park, and Coldplay. How do you like your chances?
Ha ha, well seeing as we're from Vegas, I'd say the odds are pretty stacked against us. Really though, as cliche as it may be, it's an honor to be put into a category with people we respect so much. All those artists are incredible and we have such high regard for their contributions music.

Will you be attending the VMAs?
Not sure yet.

Will you have an acceptance speech ready or just wing it when they announce that you've won?
Ha ha, well we're certainly not writing any speeches. We're mostly practicing our gracious loser expressions.

A Christmas Story... TWO?!

A Christmas Story is one of my all time favorite films because, well, it's genius. From the FRAGILE leg lamp to the frozen tongue on the fly pole, it's a holiday film with a little something for everyone.

So I was incredibly saddened to hear that Warner Brothers is about to release a direct-to-DVD sequel.

Seriously. Featuring Daniel Stern as the father. Remember him? You likely last saw him getting smashed in the face by Macaulay Culkin and his wily house traps.

One a list of terrible movie ideas, I think this is worse than the ALF reboot, the Total Recall reboot, and the Red Dawn reboot COMBINED.

First Look: Mika, "Celebrate"

Check it out! Mika came out with a new video on Friday!

At The Moment, "Make You Mad"

From 2012, here's At The Moment with "Make You Mad."

Enjoy!

The World's Coolest Entertainment Center

Looking for a unique way to display your awesome flat screen and all your electronic bells and whistles that go along with it? Igor Chak has created a beauty!



[source]

First Look: Red Dawn

We've been talking about the remake of Red Dawn for a long, long, long time. Usually when a film is shelved this long, it's because it really sucks. That's not (entirely?) the case here: they did go back and do some reshoots, but ultimately the delay came because the studio making the film (MGM) filed for bankruptcy and things got all tied up in court and blah blah no money blah blah. Ironically, the delay may actually help the film because the leading men, virtual unknowns when they filmed the thing several years ago, are all having a moment: Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Josh Hutcherson (Peeta in the Hunger Games) are both pretty hot right now.

Anyway, they've finally got a release date (November 21st), a poster, some images, and the first trailer. So here goes, the first look at the remake of the '80s flick Red Dawn! Wolverines are go!



So yes, it's still commies invading, but it's North Koreans and not Russians (or Chinese as it was in the original draft of the remake). Yes, it's some American kids (played by a couple of Aussies) fighting to take back their town. And yes, it did say Connor Cruise, Tom Cruise's adopted son, was in it. Oh and it's the directorial debut of Dan Bradley, a veteran stunt choreographer. Oscar nominee, am I right? Ah well, more Thor isn't a bad thing (according to my mom).

Johnny Hates Jazz, "Shattered Dreams"

From 1987, here's Johnny Hates Jazz with "Shattered Dreams."

Enjoy!

Reptile Youth, "Shooting Up Sunshine"

Blonds, "The Bad Ones"

The UFO Club, "July"

Catch Wild, "Supersonic Flight"

Tall Animals, "Kings"

Jenna, "Falling To Pieces"

Handguns, "Song About You"

Field Report, "Chico The American"

D A W N S, "Beam Of Light"

Slam Donahue, "Bug In The Sun"

Like it? Click the Download button for a free mp3 of the song.

Krispy Kreme, "Stolen Bikes"

From 2012, here's Krispy Kreme with "Stolen Bikes."

Enjoy!

That Wise-Cracking Cat-Eating Alien is Back

News broke this week that Sony Pictures has picked up the rights to the '80s sitcom, ALF, so that it can develop a new CGI=hybrid ALF movie, ala the Smurfs. Same director of the Smurf film and everything. I found the show mildly amusing back in the day, but I caught a few episodes of this recently and man it's not aged well. Also, wasn't he (spoiler alert!) captured by the military in a rather depressing unresolved finale?

No word on whether it's a retelling of the ALF story, or further adventures of the furry alien after he someone escaped from military jail but you know what? Who cares either way? Because this little slice of the '80s can stay in the '80s as far as I'm concerned.

Anyone a super huge ALF fan and excited by this news?

The Olympics And Mars Curiosity: Inspiring A Country And Inspiring New Memes

Nothing brings a country together more than cheering for our nation's best homeschooled, privately-coached athletes. One athlete, gymnast McKayla Maroney, has caught the hearts of people everywhere, not for her spirit and love of the game, but for her ability to make faces that would make her right at home with Regina George and The Plastics. Thankfully, we have the tumblr McKayla Is Not Impressed.

Reminding the rest of the world that America is #1!!!!, NASA successfully landed the Mars Curiosity, and among the room of celebrating scientists and engineers, young MIT grad Bobak Ferdowsi caught the eye of the nation, not only because of his rad Mohawk, but because his youth and charisma is not what you think of when you think of NASA scientists. Public figures like him are the reason that tumblr exists, and of course there is already a tumblr dedicated to him.

Ah, I love the internet.

[image 1 | image 2]

CD Review: Belle Histoire, Dreaming

Something about Cinncinnati-based band Belle Histoire harkens back to the mid '90s. It might be the earnest vibe of their sound, solid rock coupled with romanticism that comes with a female singer backed by guitars alternating between grungy and sweet. Listening to their debut album Dreamers makes me wonder what The Cranberries are up to these days.

I know -- bands hate it when reviewers make such comparisons. But that's sort of how we roll. Plus, lead vocalist Jane Smith does have that same sound that Cranberry Dolores O'Riordan has. So much so that I can almost detect the tinge of an Irish accent in her voice. Which I'm probably imagining.

Could be worse, you guys. I could've said they sound like lesser '90s chick-led-group Sixpence None The Richer. It wouldn't have been a stretch. But Smith's vocals are rich enough, the band's faster songs hooky enough, and their ballads poignant enough to give them some real musical substance, rather than just some band you might hear during a montage of longing looks on The Vampire Diaries.

Uptempo songs like "Kids" and "Don't Run Away" provide nice, guitar-riffy, harmonized jolts that keep the album lively, if perhaps just a little on the tame side. It's easier to imagine the peppier tunes playing beneath the sound of the steamed milk machine at Starbucks than at a club. Still, they were catchy enough for me to sing rowdily out loud while listening through my ear buds ("We are the kids who drove the crowd away/We dance, we sing, we rock, we dream and follow what we believe"), even if I was in line waiting for my morning Venti Pike Roast.

The go-to song on the album, though, is its centerpiece ballad, "Do You Love Me," a sweet and simple piano-backed poem about love, need and desperation ("I'll only drown if you push me/I'll only soar as high as you fly me.") It's the one I listened to three times in a row.

I'm rooting for Belle Histoire. I hope they're going to be in the game for a while. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go back and hear that ballad one more time.

This Is Why The Internet Was Invented

This site is brand new, so there's not that many examples yet. But what they do is painstakingly recreate classic album covers... out of socks!

Need an example? Here's Pink Floyd's The Dark Side Of The Moon:



Cool, right? Check our Famous Album Covers Recreated With My Socks.

[source]

CD Review: Ben Taylor, Listening

It is impossible to review an album by, much less mention Ben Taylor without mentioning that he is the genetic spawn of James Taylor and Carly Simon. That's a lot of pressure and expectations to live up to. Some, like a petulant teenager, would reject his parents' proclivities and try to establish himself in the most opposite way possible. Have you heard that Tom Hanks's son is a rapper? Anyway, I digress.

Ben Taylor has seemed to embrace his lineage. He's toured with his father and embraced the folk sentiments of the elder Taylor. But this isn't your mother's folk music. Taylor's folk isn't the simple sensitive singer-songwriter with just a guitar and their feelings. This is well-produced and has a backing band, making many of the songs ready for crossover to the pop world.

Stellar Corpses, "Vampire Kiss"

From 2011, here's Stellar Corpses with "Vampire Kiss."

Enjoy!

Not In Kansas Anymore: Our Interview With The After Party

The After Party have hit the ground running. Formed in 2010, they have recorded 3 EPs and built themselves a loyal fanbase. Their latest release, Kansas, will camp out in your head and throw a party. Singer/guitarist Brandon spoke to us about the new songs, covering Katy Perry, and stick ponies.

How did you come up with the name?
Before, we were in a band with a much longer name, and this time we needed something shorter and catchier. One day we were chilling out and made a list. We chose The After Party.

I've had Kansas for a week and it won't get out of my head. What has the reception been like?
Thank you. It's been great. This seems to be the album that people have caught onto the most. They really connected to it. I think it was number 32 on iTunes when it came out.

I saw on your website that you guys do house parties. What's the craziest thing that has ever happened at one of them?
Once I woke up in the middle of the night and a girl was taking pictures of me. There were a few things... Some stories shouldn't be told.

The video for "Secret Lover" proves you guys have a great sense of humor. Whose idea were the stick ponies?
I'm not sure. A friend of ours agreed to do it because a bigger producer wouldn't. [The other producer] said it was silly and we said, "Yeah, that's what we want." We basically put it together the night before. Except the night before we couldn't find the stick ponies, so we were driving out there [to the shoot] and we stopped at a dollar store and they had stick ponies! It was meant to be.

First Look: This Is 40

On so many levels, I personally and deeply connected with Knocked Up. And damn if Judd Apatow hasn't reached in my brain, pulled out my emotions and turned them into what looks like a hilarious and potentially heartbreaking movie.

(This comes out exactly a month and three days before I turn 40 myself.)

Here's the trailer:

Ghost Wave, "Hippy"

From 2012, here's Ghost Wave with "Hippy."

Enjoy!

TV Review: NTSF:SD:SUV:: The Best Show You're Not Watching

NTSF:SD:SUV:: (short for National Terrorist Strike Force San Diego Sport Utility Vehicle) is the perfect Thursday companion to its preceding show, Childrens Hospital, both premiering on August 9th on Adult Swim. Conceived by comedic Renaissance man Paul Scheer, the show emerged from a series of parody trailers that aired during Childrens Hospital. The name of the show was the main joke, a take on all the CSI and Law & Order shows. It's a pretty funny joke, but to develop it into an actual series? Would that really work?

Oh, hell yes. It works just perfectly.

The basic story structures are based on a secret government anti-terrorist group run by a strict leader, played by Kate Mulgrew (Star Trek Voyager!), and includes the nerdy scientist who is supposed to be nerdy but is Hollywood beautiful (Rebecca Romijn), the tough black guy (Brandon Johnson), the ass-kicking babe (June Diane Raphael), the intelligent robot that doesn't seem to have a purpose, and the nerdy tech guy (played by Martin Starr, playing his best Martin Starr). Leading the cast is Paul Scheer as hot-shot Tent Hauser, who provides the David-Caruso pun-and-sunglasses schtick on every show. And no, it never gets old.

The scenarios involve the gang fighting terrorism and evil plan-hatching masterminds, but like its Adult Swim companion show Childrens Hospital, its genius lies in broad, visual gags and parody. Surprisingly, this show is filmed with what looks like a very hefty special effects budget, so we get the visuals of a Michael Bay film with the comedic commentary of stupid action flicks. However, like most Adult Swim shows, no stereotypes, language, or topics are off-limits.

Nothing is too over the top for this show to cover. In fact, the more over-the-top, the better. Last season, evil talking dolphins, nuclear weaponry, cruise ship hijacking, and mind control were all featured. The season two premiere episode, "16 Hop Street," is a direct parody of 21 Jump Street. Even though the movie was released this past year, that film was a self-aware commentary on the show, but NTSF creates a direct parody. Guest star and comedy podcast superstar Jon Daly guest stars as the undercover cop who's been in deep cover in the high school for over 15 years and is the suspected perpetrator. The team enrolls in high school, where Piper becomes more concerned about her status as a the popular mean girl than the mission, and Trent keeps almost blowing his cover by injuring people.

CD Review: The After Party, Kansas

The After Party's Kansas is irresistible fun, a perfect blend of pop with a punk edge. You can't help but sing along with more than a few clever lines. It kicks things off straightaway with the handclap rhythm of "Waste The Day", whose jazzy breakdown at the end makes it a great party jam. "A Better Me" is cheerfully derisive in the tradition of Cee Lo Green's "Fuck You," declaring "our love was fiction and baby that's a fact." It's a breakup song for the dance floor, while the addictive beat of "She's Gotta Boyfriend" was made to be blasted out over a huge crowd jumping up and down.

Kansas turns quiet with the ballad "Still Got Love," which is genuine without being overwrought. The standout is "Here Comes The Rain," combining heartfelt lyrics and a beautiful guitar solo: "Broke the news that crushed my earth and buried me in it, walked out, left me digging." The image resonates long after the song is done.

Things pick up again with the closer "Unforgettable Nights." It's exactly the kind of wistful tune to wander into the night still singing. The After Party are ready for the big stage, and Kansas should take them there.

Rocky Has A God Complex

Here's an interesting little promo pic for The Expendables 2:



And since you asked, a close-up of Stallone:

The Deadline Shakes, "Sweeten The Deal"

From 2012, here's The Deadline Shakes with "Sweeten The Deal."

Enjoy!

TV Review: Childrens Hospital: The Funniest 15 Minutes Of Your Week

Within the first few seconds of the season premiere of the fourth season of Childrens Hospital, an epidemic of airborne amnesia affects all the staff in the hospital. It's up to Glen (Ken Marino) and Lola (Erinn Hayes) to find the source before they, too, succumb. Meanwhile, Doctor Blake Downs, who is immune to the virus, has manipulated the affected staff into believing he is king of the hospital and creates his own society. Meanwhile, hospital director Sy Mittleman does his best to cover up the source, caused by a toxic sledge dump, and retreats to his personal panic room. Chaos ensues before Dr. Blake Owen develops an antidote, saving everyone.

Amazingly, this story plays out in under eleven minutes. Childrens Hospital is a fifteen-minute time slot on Adult Swim, a genius idea that most shows would benefit from. Childrens Hospital is so bizarre, farcical, and broad that eleven minutes is all it can sustain, so you leave it on a high note. Over the past three seasons, it has been the single most hilarious fifteen minutes of my week.

First conceived by comedian/writer Rob Corrdry, Childrens Hospital began as a web series that was a timely parody of popular hospital-setting shows, such as Scrubs and Grey's Anatomy. True to its inspiration, the staff was more concerned with their own shallow lives than that of the patients. There were the usual archetypes: the handsome suave doctor, the tough-as-nails surgical chief, the neurotic relationship-obsessed woman, and the bumbling idiot. Even though hospital-themed shows are no longer in the pop culture zeitgeist, Childrens Hospital continues to barrel through parodies of just about everything else.

Rob Corrdry still steals every scene and is likely the most recognizable character on the show. He is always in full clown makeup because he believes in the "healing power of laughter" and a running gag is that he will choose this route over medical need. The rest of the cast is brilliant in their roles, each its own center of a running gag including Megan Mullaley as the hyper-sexual head of surgery, the ubiquitous Rob Huebel as Dr. Owen Maestro, Lake Bell as the selfish Dr. Cat Black , Ken Marino as the ultra-orthodox Jewish Dr. Glenn Ritchie, and Malin Akerman as the unknowing sex symbol of the office, Dr. Valerie Flame (in season 2, it was revealed that she is really John Hamm in disguise. God, I hope they come back to that at some point.)

The key to the comedy of Childrens Hospital is not only the actors' delivery and commitment to the absurd humor, but in the power of parody. The whole concept of the show is a parody, but as the seasons have progressed, individual episodes have carried on as mini-parodies, including my favorite episode, a send up of Our Town. The show perfectly captures all aspects of the genre it is parodying, making the recognizable riffs the biggest payoff.

First Look: Cockneys Vs. Zombies

If you thought the zombie craze was behind us, you obviously haven't seen the red band trailer for Cockneys Vs. Zombies:

For Those Who Hate Superhero Films

Don't have the urge to see The Dark Knight Rises or The Avengers? Now you can get the help you need:

Aqua, "Barbie Girl"

From 1997, here's Aqua with "Barbie Girl."

Enjoy!

Frank + Derol, "Barely Love You Too"

One last track before bedtime...



Love the track? Click the Download button to grab it for free!

Ivan Gough & Feenixpawl Ft. Georgi Kay, "In My Mind"

Flagship, "Still I Wait"

The Universal Thump, "Flora"

Mister Loveless, "Wild Summer"

Versus The World, "A Fond Farewell"

Leftover Cuties, "Smile Big"

Kendra Morris, "Wicked Game"

Love the song? Click the Download link to get it for free!

Wishes And Thieves, "Let You In"

Joseph Mulhollen, "Garbage"

Love the track? Click the Download link to get it for free!

The Rescues, "Arrow"

XNY, "Ride On"

When we spoke with XNY back in May, they were getting ready to release their debut album, Through The Wall. Today, we've got the kickass first single from their next album.

From 2012, here's XNY with "Ride On."

Enjoy!

Top 20 Albums Of 1988 (Nos. 1-5)

For this week's Ranked!, we compiled our twenty favorite albums released in 1988. Did we get it right? Let us know in the comments!

Here are numbers 1-5:

5. Jane's Addiction, Nothing's Shocking

Jane says... this album rocks hard. Between Perry Farrell's trademark yowl and Dave Navarro's sinuous guitar, Nothing's Shocking never loses energy. That energy is the driving force behind songs like "Ocean Size" and "Had A Dad". In contrast is the almost childlike "Summertime Rolls," which sounds like a summer night spent stretched out on the hood of a car, staring up at the sky. But the quieter moments are never too quiet, and "Pigs In Zen" proves that the album holds together even when it's spinning out of control. This is how you make a statement.--Amanda

Top 20 Albums Of 1988 (Nos. 6-10)

For this week's Ranked!, we compiled our twenty favorite albums released in 1988. Did we get it right? Let us know in the comments!

Here are numbers 6-10:

10. Roxette, Look Sharp!

I didn't own a ton of cassettes in the '80s because I had a pretty small allowance and only made a $1/hour babysitting. (Yeah, $1 an hour for a 12 year old girl to watch your kids for hours. Seems like you're really getting what you paid for, doesn't it?) But Look Sharp! was one that I saved up my money to get. I loved that album! It came with me on our month long summer camping trips. It came with me to the fishing resort in Louisiana. Frankly, Roxette took me to my happy place. Only four good things have ever come from Sweden: ABBA, Absolut, Alexander Skarsgard, and Roxette. And only one of those doesn't start with the letter A so you know it's got to be good to make it on that list.--Archphoenix

Top 20 Albums Of 1988 (Nos. 11-15)

For this week's Ranked!, we compiled our twenty favorite albums released in 1988. Did we get it right? Let us know in the comments!

Here are numbers 11-15:

15. DJ Jazzy Jeff And The Fresh Prince, He's The DJ, I'm The Rapper

Let me just state this for the record: I love Will Smith. No matter what I hear, good or bad, he will always hold a special place in my heart, and about 90% of the reason for that is The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. (The remaining 10% is split amongst his album Big Willie Style, Independence Day, and MIB.)

All that being said, even though there was a 1987 debut, this is what I believe gave the true start to this duo. If "Parents Just Don't Understand" hadn't hit, life never would have worked out the way it has. This won the first ever Grammy for Best Rap Performance, and if you don't know every single word of at least the "Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air" theme song, get out. Seriously, these are two guys who had a lot of fun and brought the party every time.--J-Hawke

Top 20 Albums Of 1988 (Nos. 16-20)

For this week's Ranked!, we compiled our twenty favorite albums released in 1988. Did we get it right? Let us know in the comments!

Here are numbers 16-20:

20. Cinderella, Long Cold Winter

Cinderella weren't like the other hair bands. Don't get me wrong: they were as glam as everyone else. But Long Cold Winter had more of a bluesy feel than, say, a Look What The Cat Dragged In or a Dirty Rotten Filthy Stinking Rich. But it still rocked, due in large part to Tom Keifer's gravelly vocals. The album boasted tracks like "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)" and "Coming Home," both of which should've been featured in Rock Of Ages; near-hit "The Last Mile;" the upbeat "Gypsy Road;" and my favorite song on the album, "Bad Seamstress Blues/Fallin' Apart At The Seams."--Chris

DVD Review: Pink Floyd: The Story of Wish You Were Here

Four notes. The same four notes. Over and over again.

David Gilmour kept playing these four notes at Abbey Road Studio in London in 1972 as Pink Floyd was preparing their follow-up the the massively successful Dark Side Of The Moon. There was something special about those four notes, something that crept into Roger Waters head and never let go, a kernel of an idea that eventually blossomed into what would become "Shine On You Crazy Diamond." That song, a brooding homage to Floyd's tormented former singer and chief songwriter, Syd Barrett, would provide the bookends and thematic soul of what would become Wish You Were Here, and as the stellar documentary Pink Floyd: The Story Of Wish You Were Here shows, it was both a tribute to a lost friend and group therapy for a band struggling to come to terms with it's sudden, astonishing success.

For fans of Pink Floyd, Pink Floyd: The Story Of Wish You Were Here (now available on DVD and Blu-ray) is a must-own. It explores in-depth the band at their most vulnerable: consciously distracted and disconnected from their audience. The emotions the band was feeling--frustration, disillusionment, pressure--took form in the songs that eventually made the album, creating a melancholic but defiant mood that was at once self-conscious and inescapable. Throughout the film, as the band and its inner circle reminisce about each song and their mindset at the time, your appreciation for the struggles of being an artist grows, and their music takes on added depth and poignancy.

The recording of Wish You Were Here was haunted, both figuratively and literally, by Syd Barrett. Mentally unstable, Syd had left the band years earlier, becoming erratic and reclusive. A handsome and talented songwriter, he had been the fuel that had propelled Pink Floyd to its initial success, but his bandmates could only watch helplessly as he slowly spun out of control. Saddened by the loss of their friend, the band used Wish You Were Here to pen their love for him and rant against the recording industry they believed drove him to madness. Waters and Gilmour speak at length about the cynical view of the business portrayed in "Have A Cigar" and "Welcome To The Machine." They linger over the overtly biographical lyrics to "Shine On You Crazy Diamond," telling stories about how they invited Syd to the studio during the sessions to record but could never corral him long enough to put anything useful on tape. He would show up at the studio unannounced once more a year later--fat, bald, and unrecognizable to his friends--and the band today still seems visibly shaken by his transformation. Their recollections bring an unexpected earnestness to their stories, and paints a poignant, moody backdrop to the recording.

Paula Abdul, "Straight Up"

From 1988, here's Paul Abdul with "Straight Up."

Enjoy!

Seven Questions In Heaven With Greek Fire

PHOTO CREDIT: Matthew Jay

Today, we're spending Seven Questions In Heaven with Moon from Greek Fire.

Describe your music for our readers who may not be familiar with you.
Rock. It's a tip of the hat to the classic rock songwriting approach peppered with a very new twist on '80s and '90s pop. I encourage you to listen and hear for yourself!

Who are your musical influences and idols?
Lenny Bruce. Andy Kaufman. Oscar Wilde. Francois-Marie Arouet.

What was the first album, cassette, or CD you bought with your own money?
My first CD was Green Day's Dookie, believe it or not. My first tape was a Beach Boys tape and the Top Gun soundtrack.

Book Review: The Who

I'm a sucker for classic rock photography. I love seeing the bands I love when they were young, still ascendent and writing the rules as they went. I love the fashion and the hair, forever trapping them at a moment in time, with all the evocations of history and cultural upheaval their style suggests. But most of all I love the impromptu moments, musicians caught unaware, when their guard is down and the person beneath is revealed. It adds an extra dimension not just to the band or artist but to the music itself, as if I'm sharing a secret insight into the impulses that created the songs that provided the soundtrack to my life.

The Who, a decades-spanning collection of images, promises such communion with the iconic band. The editors have dug into the vaults, uncovering hundreds of rare and previously unpublished pictures of The Who at every stage in their careers. As a lifelong Who fan, it was like unearthing lost treasure. There they are in 1964, familiar features gracing the faces of what essentially is a high school band. There they are on the set of Ready, Steady, Go! and the other mid '60s British music shows that helped break them into the mainstream. You see the sweat spraying off Keith Moon's head during their legendary performance on The Rolling Stones' Rock and Roll Circus, and the transformation of the band into arena rock behemoths, with Townshend's patented leaping windmill histrionics and Daltrey's similarly athletic delivery. In no time you see them as elder statesmen on one of their many "farewell tours," still busting the moves that made them teen idols decades earlier.

This collection will probably delight diehard who fans who revel in every scrap of found footage, and the images themselves have been lovingly restored with such vibrancy you'd think they were taken last week. Ultimately, though, as I paged through the book I felt increasingly let down. To call the liner notes and photo captions "thin" is being too generous, and there is little more context than what you'd get on a postcard. More damning, I never felt like there was little really new or revelatory. The photos are culled from a number of sources, and many seemed to capture the band members just after something interesting happened. There are a few gems here and there, but they often sit next to a close-up of a stone-faced bandmember. Some of this could likely be attributed to the Who itself (I've always felt that Roger Daltrey's facial expression throughout most of Tommy was probably his natural state), but as a music fan I always hope to see the same spark that animates the music animate the man. As comprehensive as this collection is, it rarely captures that. Having had the pleasure of reviewing Ken Regan's marvelous All Access last fall, it's hard to get excited for any anthology that doesn't do more than catalog its subject.

First Look/Listen: Nicki Minaj, "Pound The Alarm"

What do you think?

Lita Ford, "Kiss Me Deadly"

From 1988, here's Lita Ford with "Kiss Me Deadly."

Enjoy!