LP Review: "The Blinking Light/Peace On Earth" by Rudy Stone

The Blinking Light

I have a spectacular idea for an album, a concept album naturally.

Between jam sessions, which there's usually about 2-3 months between them, ideas come to me. What about a musical record that's based around the comings of the seasons?

Could you possibly imagine how big that would be?

Unfortunately, as I only "play" guitar, it would be really hard for me to get it down, as it seems to me that a project of this size needs a larger sound than the six strings on my Les Paul can give voice to.

So, this idea's been kicking around in my head for about four years now. You know what I found out like three months ago?

Some Italian gentleman named Antonio Vivaldi had already done it. It's truly a great thing I hadn't voiced this idea because there are people in my life that might have suggested I go through with it!

7" Vinyl Review: "2AM. Chinatown" by Julian Jasper

2AM. Chinatown

Let's get started with my beloved St. Louis Blues. At the time of this writing, we're getting the injury reports of what they were really dealing with during the playoffs.

As someone who wanted the Nashville series, it didn't disappoint in terms of games, but our boys didn't have the stamina this year. That or a threatening power play.

So, for this guy, I say go on you Predators and win your first cup.

That said, there's a lot more to life than sports. For instance, there's vinyl to listen, to review, and to love.

My little vinyl column here has ginned up to precisely what I wanted it to become. Bands, labels, and PR firms have taken to it and there's plenty still sitting on my shelf waiting for spins. Listening to music for the first time on the old school (or new school colored) vinyl is just really the best. As I typically only buy albums I've heard before on vinyl, I'm very thankful for the opportunity!

Vinyl Review: "Reproduction" by Knife In The Water

Reproduction

Today's the day. It's time for Knife In The Water.

Before we get to the music and the normal vinyl trappings, let's talk about this band. They're completely new to me, and what's there to expect rather than some very serious metal?

Let's talk context clues:

1) Knife? I mean hello! We all remember that Cannibal Corpse song don't we?

2) Knives are made of _____? METAL!

3) Aside from dropping your sweet camping knife off the fishing dock into the lake and scaring off the crappie you were trying to ensnare with your glittery jig, there's only one good reason for a knife to be in the water: an act of violence has been committed, nay ULTRA Violence has been committed with this particular stabbing instrument.

LP Review: "This Guitars" by Grandkids

This Guitars

The late, great Mitch Hedberg had this great bit about 2 in 1 conditioner. With his eyes firmly shut behind sunglasses, he explained that 2 in 1 is a BS term because two things can't fit in the same space.

In fact, he lamented, that's why two was invented.

It's easy to see why that's funny, but perhaps Hedberg was a bit off the mark with this, pretty damned funny bit. Think about yourself, in the office, at home, at work...

There's probably two of you. That's how most of us are anyway. We have the public self and the private self.

What would you world be like if your private self and your public self were at odds with each other? Perhaps without realizing it, you're cursing like a sailor while talking to a client at work and at home you're being overly formal and small talky to your kids....

EP Review: "Bare Bones Part II: Electric Earth" by The Adventures of the Silver Spaceman

Bare Bones Part II: Electric Earth

The Adventures of the Silver Spaceman.

Well, there's really only one person this could be and that's the man, they myth, the legend.

ACE FREHLEY!!!

Seriously, who else is the silver spaceman? Tommy Thayer? I think not.

Just this morning, I was listening to Frehley on the Eddie Trunk show and Frehley mentioned that he had started working on the follow up album, but he didn't say he was ready to go, much less drop an EP!

Wait. This isn't Ace Frehley? So it is Tommy Thayer....god damn it anyway. Well, in the past we've reviewed Tommy  Thayer Cos-Play Tribute Kiss, so I guess I can cover his solo EP...

EP Review: "Lord Kesseli and The Drums EP" by Lord Kesseli and The Drums

Lord Kesseli and The Drums

There's nothing more annoying to me than being late.

It's been a long time, but an indelible lesson was burned into my brain:

On time is five minutes early.

That's such a great creed to live by, sadly, some of the closest folks in my life don't always adhere to this. It's also very hard going to parties.

When I arrive spot on start time, well before the ???'s that it goes to, there's no one else there yet.

So, it's our wont to review and get the word out on new music at least two or three weeks ahead of time normally, because that's my schedule. This is one that slipped my fingers, but a well worded email reminded about this Swiss Psych Duo's upcoming debut...

Album Review: "Luna" by There Is No Mountain

Luna

I still don't see it.

I can't help it and I refuse to try, because the name of this band reminds me of a (classic?) Monty  Python sketch wherein Eric Idle cannot see the mountain the rest of the group sees.

I suppose Philip J. Fry did something similar in Futurama when they were headed to the Great Stone Face of Mars.

So, this band's name really does bring me some good memories, but let's get some housekeeping out of the way instead of my waxing nostalgic about canceled TV shows.

Portland, Oregon's own There Is No Mountain is a duo, who get this, is married! So all those times you hear about a band being like a marriage, do you think they thought their marriage was like a band...so then they said what the hell?