Please welcome old friend and new contributor, Aaron. Β I have known Aaron since before I was first hired at the Record Store, and he made a cameo appearance inRecord Store Tales Part 176: Β Trevor the Security Guard. Β Aaron is going to be launching his own site really soon and we have planned a few crossovers. Β He decided to kick it off with this hilarious memory that I had forgotten all about. Β Please enjoy!
GETTING MORE TALE #571: Β Record Store Tales – A Different Perspective Guest shot by Aaron Lebold
I have been enjoying Mikeβs Record Store Tales for quite a while now, I have found them particularly enjoyable because I was friends with him when he got this job. The store was initially located in a mediocre mall, and was about the size of a nice walk-in closet. The store has since branched out into a very successful franchise. Β I personally feel Mikeβs expertise in music played a role in the success of the store, but I like reading them because I remember a lot of the stories, and I may even be mentioned in a couple.
Β One of my fondest memories of Mike working at the store, was after it had expanded and added a second location. Β Back in those days CDs were worth money, so in turn people had a tendency to steal them, and bring them to Mikeβs store to sell.
A woman had gone into the other location, and given Mikeβs co-worker a specific list of CDs to look out for, as they had been stolen from her home. Β Mikeβs co-worker called him at his location to transfer the information, so they could contact the police should someone come in to sell that specific collection of discs.
Mike decided it would be funny if he had me call the other location to try to get a quote for some CDs. Β He read me the exact list of CDs that had been reported missing, and instructed me specifically to finalize the phone call with the line βand theyβre not stolen eitherβ¦β
I followed through with Mikeβs request, and though I didnβt get much of a reaction from his co-worker, he told me that they called him back and asked him βHow much did you pay that kid to do that?β Β It was pretty funny at the time, and I will always remember my line. Β βAnd theyβre not stolen eitherβ¦β
For the first time in my life, I bought a CD that sounded so shitty, I couldn’t even stand to listen to it. I knew that the bootleg CD, Kiss Demos 1981-1983 wasn’t going to sound terrific, because my neighbor George had a version of this on LP way back in the day. I didn’t know it was going to sound this horrid.
Demos 1981-1983 collects some Kiss and assorted tracks, from some very dubious sources. Β It sounds like 12th generation cassettes, complete with music bleeding through. Β You can actually hear “Tokyo Road” by Bon Jovi bleeding through on track 7. Β Enjoy the tape drop-out and inaudible drums too. Β There are some interesting bits here, and some useless ones.
You can divide this CD into threeΒ sections. Β The first six tracks seem to be Vinnie Vincent demos. Β They include “Boyz Are Gonna Rock”, which evolved into two separate songs. Β The verses became “And on the 8th Day” by Kiss, from the 1983 album Lick It Up. Β The choruses became “Boyz Are Gonna Rock” from Vinnie Vincent Invasion’s debut LP. Β These demos reportedly feature Vinnie himself on lead vocals, and he does a fine job of it in fact. Β Why did he even need a lead singer? Β Another curious track is “Back on the Streets” which Ace FrehleyΒ was known to play live before his first Frehley’s Comet album. Β In fact the Comet band covered it on the tribute album Return of the Comet, and Vinnie put it on the first Invasion album.Β Finally there is the track listed on the back as “Your Baby”. Β This is actually “Baby O”Β also from Invasion’s debut.
Moving on from the Vincent tracks, there are a few Kiss demos supposedly from The Elder sessions. Β These include titles that are probably made up: Β “Heaven”, “The Unknown Force” and “Council of the Elder”. Β They are accompanied by an instrumental demo of “A World Without Heroes” and the original Frehley version of “Dark Light”, called “Don’t Run”. Β These are actually really cool skeletons of tracks. Β The one titled “Unknown Force” is a bass-led instrumental, and it has a funky little guitar part that is insanely nifty, but it’s just one ideaΒ that needs to be fleshed out. Β Then there is “Heaven” which fans today know better as “Carr Jam” (on Kiss’s Revenge) or “Breakout” (on Frehley’s Comet). Β Eric Carr wrote this riff for The Elder sessions and though Kiss didn’t use it, Ace did. Β “A World Without Heroes” is an instrumentalΒ on which you can barely hear guitars. Β Finally there is the track called “Council of the Elder” which could be the best of the lot. Β It has a Zeppelin-y beginning reminiscent of things like “Thank You”, before it blasts into a cool riff that I don’t recognize from anywhere else. Β Only a small part of the song seems to have been used, in “Only You”.
The third chunk of songs focuses on Lick It Up demos, a boring bunch of inaudible crap, all but one snippet called “You”. Β It’s just a few chords and a vocal melody idea that Paul and Vinnie came up with, but it’s cool to hear them harmonize. Β It’s possible this track evolved into “A Million to One” as the chords are similar.
The most inexcusable inclusion on this CD is “Young & Wreckless” which claims to be a Lick It Up demo with vocals by Vinnie Vincent. Β This inclusion is an error thatΒ goes all the way back to the vinyl versions of this bootleg that circulated in the 80s. Β The immediately obvious issue is that it’s not Vinnie Vincent singing, it’s Brian Vollmer. Β That’s because “Young & Wreckless” is a Helix song, and this track is lifted right from their 1984 album Walkin’ the Razor’s Edge! Β Like the rest of the CD, it sounds like an 18th generation cassette copy.
This disc is for die-hards only. Β What I’d like to see is an official release of the demo tracks from The Elder period, which are great. Β Next box set, boys?
By request ofJ from Resurrection Songs. Β If you are familiar with the concept ofΒ bootleg CDs, then the idea of third party toys should be easy to assimilate. Β For the purpose of this story, I’m going to be speaking only about third party Transformers toys, as they are the only ones in my collection.
GETTING MORE TALEΒ #570: Third Party
What is a third party toy? Β Simply put, it is an unauthorized toy designed to look like another toy, without infringing on any copyrights. Β Third party toys are big business today. Β These independently produced collectibles have limited runs and when they’re out, eBay prices can be prohibitive. Β One of the reasons the prices get so high is that third party toys often exceed the quality of the official ones. Β They cater to hard core fans looking for specific features and homages. Β Stuff that officially produced toys ignore in favour of mass production, safety features and mass appeal.
Third party toys are not to be confused with “KO” or knock-offs. Β KO toys originating from China or Korea are complete reproductions of official toys. Β Therefore, you can buy a KO of the original Optimus Prime from 1984. Β It will come in a KO of the original box with a KO sticker sheet and instructions too. Β It’ll be made of die cast and plastic just like the original, and these toys are getting better all the time. Β It used to be they would be made with cheap plastic and fall apart immediately. Β That happened to me, when I ordered a KO of 1985’s Devastator figure. Β First time out of the box, and one of the figures broke. Β One part was too tight, the other part was too fragile, and snap. Β They are of much higher quality now, and the bonus is that you can get a “brand new” toy of something you always wanted but never had.
To make matters a little more confusing, there are now even KOs of third party figures, and a current popular trend is oversized KOs. Β The theory is that bigger is better! Β The waters are murky indeed!
There is a certain amount of caution and “buyer beware” to be exercised with third party toys. Β Especially with new startup companies, the quality and design can leave a lot to be desired. Β One company, Keith’s Fantasy Club (KFC) had early products that were beyond shite. Β They initially focused on cassette-bots: Β robots that transformed into microcassettes. Β I bought one that fell apart out of the box. Β Now KFC have worked out the bugs and produce some of the heaviest, highest quality third party toys on the market. Β I recently received their “Opticlones”, an original toy based on Transformers Generation 1 Reflector. Β This is a set of three robots that combine into a camera. Β He has a lot of metal, intricate transformation and dead-on accurate looks to the original cartoon character. Β The figure is in “MP” or Masterpiece scale. Β He is designed to fit right in with the official Masterpiece Megatron, Optimus Prime, Soundwave and the rest of the line. Β Often, third party toys will be designed to interact with the official ones. Β Reflector comes with a little miniature version of his camera self that can be held by the official Soundwave.
The early days of third party toys was like the wild wild west, you really had to do your research. Β Fortunately, Youtube reviewers like Peaugh made some decisions easy. Β A company called Fansproject put out a two-figure add-on kit to go with the official Revenge of the Fallen Bruticus figure, a combiner made of five robots. Β Fansproject’s kit flat-out replaced two of the robots with much better ones. Β It improved the overall figure greatly by supplying new hands, feet and guns. Β Ingeniously, all the numerous accessories had a part in play in all three modes: Β robots, vehicles, and combined robot. Β Each part was perfectly integrated, and significantly boosted the firepower of the toy.
Bruticus before and after
This was wish fulfillment for fans! Β The intricate parts were above and beyond the official Hasbro versions. Β There was a new head too, with neck articulation. Β Guns could combine into larger guns, parts unfolded into missile launchers…it was great stuff and Fansproject have consistently been on the top of the heap.
One of the reasons companies like Fansproject have lasted so long is that they continually cater to the demands of fans who feel the official products are missing something. Β For just about every major Hasbro and Takara release, there is an add-on kit available from a third party company. Β New heads are common, because fans are picky enough to want their figure to look like a specific iteration. Β Transformers have a 33 year history and characters have undergone many versions.
Often there are multiple third party add-on kits to choose from. Β Dr. Wu is one that I have bought from frequently. Β Dr. Wu tends to focus on small add-ons, like guns and additional weapons that are missing from the official toy. Β If Hasbro and Takara could only release toys that fulfill wishes from the fans from the start, third party companies like Dr. Wu wouldn’t be necessary. Β Either due to cost or a desire to have toys less “weaponized”, Hasbro and Takara often omit weapons and accessories that the characters have traditionally wielded. Β Enter Dr. Wu and a slew of others.
Even the sticker company Reprolabels/Toyhax have entered the weapons black market. Β Reprolabels/Toyhax used to focus strictly on stickers, either to restore or enhance your Transformers. Β Now they are including plastic weapons that, once again, Hasbro and Takara have omitted from classic characters. Β Toyhax were the only major third party sticker company on the market, and now they’ve gone even further by adding solid add-ons too. Β Any serious Transformers fan should visit and make at least one purchase from Toyhax.
Maketoys’ Battle Tanker is a kit to provide weapons and a trailer for Hasbro’s G2 Prime figure, as well as new waist and head.
Similar to add-on kits are upgrade kits. Β These require partial disassembly of Β your figure to outright replace major components. Β This is often done to add articulation, especially in the hands. Β Beelzeboss is a third party that sells a very complex kit for the official Combiner Wars Optimus Prime figure. Β It’s a hairy process, involving tiny screws, pulling out small metal pins, and replacing entire waist and leg pieces in exchange for new ones. Β The upgrade adds height and completely changes the appearance of Prime. Β If you’re up to the task, it looks incredible. Β Other upgrades are simpler. Β A lot of modern Transformers have ball joints and it’s easy to pop off a head and replace it with a third party one that has light-up eyes.
At this point, there are now so many quality third party companies out there fighting for our dollars, that choosing one version to go with can be daunting. Β KFC doesn’t have the only version of an MP-scale Reflector out there. Β Another fine company called Fans Toys also have one. Β Ultimately I preferred KFC’s version of the camera mode, which tipped the scales. Β For other characters, especially combiners made of multiple robots, there are many versions, most great. Β Choosing one might depend on which one is biggest, or fits in better with your collection. Β Youtube reviews are essential. Β Benscollectibles is one of the best. Β Emgo316 “The freakin’ geek himself”, Peaugh, Balmatrix, Optibotimus, and many more can be counted on for their prompt and thorough reviews. Β Another benefit to these reviews is to master the transformation process. Β These companies are based out of Asia, and the instructions have no English. Β You have to rely on sometimes vague pictures. Β Some third party toys are so complex that, like a Rubik’s cube, it’s easy to just give up in frustration. Β Maketoys’ Wardog (aka G1 Warpath) is the most difficult toy I own. Β These guys will guide you through transforming it.
You might ask yourself, “What if there is a quality issue? Β What do I do?” Β Most of these companies are very good about providing replacement pieces. Β X-Transbots Apollyon is their version of a Masterpiece Megatron. Β The heavy battery-powered fusion cannon on his right arm is quite heavy, and the right arm droops. Β It won’t hold up. Β So X-Transbots provided a tighter replacement piece for the shoulder ball joint. Β It’s easy to install, and they began including these replacement shoulders right in the box. Β This is one example.
Apollyon on dispaly with official, third party and knock-offs. Β Can you tell?
Where can you get third party toys? Β Online of course, but I am lucky enough to have a store in town that sells them. Β B&K Collectibles in Cambridge is my go-to guy dealer. Β If Big Dan doesn’t have it, Big Bad Toy Store and TF Source will. Β Now, there are even crowdfunded third party toys! Β My buddy Jason just received his Ocular Max Kojin project, one such crowdfunded toy. Β There were incentives offered including discounts and free bonus figures, and I regret not jumping on board myself. Β (I didn’t because I was waiting for the official Takara version, and now…well, that might have been a mistake.)
Ocular Max Kojin
My biggest third party purchase is happening this summer. Β A favourite company, Fans Toys, is releasing their massive version of as Masterpiece scale G1 Omega Supreme. Β It is called Aegis Sentinel and is so huge that it is being sold in two separate parts. Β Sentinel A is the tank and track component, and it will be available in June. Β Sentinel B is out in August, and will have the rocket and base components. Β Together, Aegis Sentinel will combine into a 21 1/2″ robot behemoth. Β This is a beast that will look amazing in proper scale with Optimus Prime and cohorts. Β The official Prime is already a large figure at 9″. Β It’s going to be quite cool to have the giant Autobot in proper scale with Optimus!
Then all I have to do is slap some Autobot logo stickers on him, courtesy of Toyhax. Β Hasbro/Takara will never release a full sized Masterpiece Omega Supreme figure. Β Fortunately the fearless Fans Toys will. Β Based on their Iron Dibots line, I know that my Omega will be heavy, strong and very impressive looking.
If you’d like to know more, check out the Youtube reviews of some of the fine folks above, and browse the third party section of Big Bad Toy Store or TF Source. Β Even if you never buy a third party transforming robot, you have to admit they’re pretty damn nifty.
Β Β – Lick It Up (1983 Polygram, 1997 Mercury remaster)
On September 18 1983, Kiss publicly unmasked on MTV.Β They each appeared with a name tag at a desk and answered questions from the press.Β Their first album with their bare faces on the cover was just released on that day:Β Lick It Up.Β With two non-original members now in the band, and their fortunes fading, it seemed like the best move commercially and artistically.Β According to writer Robert V. Conte, the Kiss press conference was overshadowed by an MTV special on Van Halen, broadcast the same evening.
It would be easy for skeptics to dismiss Kissβ unmasking as a mere stunt, and in many ways they would be right, but it was not a decision made lightly.Β Kiss had legitimate fears about how they could carry on without the makeup and costumes.Β They came to realize that they could just continue doing what they do β playing their songs live as they always have.
The new album, Lick It Up, was brilliant. It is βexhibit Aβ in the case of βDid Vinnie Vincent save Kiss?βΒ With eight out of ten writing credits, all of them great, it certainly appears that Vinnie gave Lick It Up a swift kick in the afterburner.
The stark white cover featured Kiss in their street clothes.Β It was a minimalist cover with the only clue to their identities being Geneβs tongue.Β In Japan, a full cover obi retained the band in makeup (including Vinnie) until you opened the package and saw the white cover inside. Β This led to an urban legend that Japan actually had a rare makeup cover on their edition ofΒ Lick It Up.
Strangely enough, even though Lick It Up was Vinnieβs official debut as a Kiss member, He didnβt play the solo on opening salvo βExciterβ.Β This was unknown to fans at the time, but βExciterβ was performed by Rick Derringer after Vinnie couldnβt nail the right vibe in the studio.Β It was an ominous warning of things to come.
Otherwise, βExciterβ ushered Kiss into the 1980s with a sound that fit.Β It had a chunky guitar chug, and killer melodic chorus, and left the sound of the 70s far behind.Β Perhaps most importantly, it had no outside writers.Β Nothing on Lick It Up required outside writers now that they had Vinnie in the band.
After the blowout opening of βExciterβ, Gene Simmons grindsΒ it down slow with one of his heaviest tracks to date: βNot For the Innocentβ.Β Gene adapted his singing style to include a Demon scream, and βNot For the Innocentβ features lots of it on the outro.Β βNot For the Innocentβ built on the heavy Kiss of Creatures of the Night and pushed it heavier.
The first single was the successful and surprisingly simple “Lick It Up”.Β Itβs basically a textbook guitar chug with verses and a chorus β no solo. Β It was enough to go top 40 in the UK and Canada and has since become a concert staple.Β In fact itβs the only Lick It Up song to remain in the set beyond the 80s, and itβs a pretty good song for what it is.
Simmons returned to the fore on the frenetic βYoung and Wastedβ, an example of speedy 80s Kiss keeping up with their metal compatriots. Β Fortunately, Vincent provided a kicking riff. Β Live, βYoung and Wastedβ was often given to Eric Carr to sing.Β The studio version is the one to beat.Β Then it was Paul Stanleyβs turn in the driverβs seat with βGimme Moreβ, keeping things rolling in a non-descript top gear.
One of the most interesting tunes on Lick It Up is the side two opener and second single βAll Hellβs Breakinβ Loose.βΒ It was begun as a Zeppelin-y riff by Eric Carr, and finished by all four members β only the second Kiss song ever credited to all four members.Β It became, in Ericβs words, a βrock and roll rap song!βΒ Thatβs not quite so, though Paulβs talk-singing in the verses evokes the basics of rap.Β No worries though; this is one brilliant Kiss song that really deserved more exposure.Β One worth buying the album for.
The Simmons-dominated second side of Lick It Up is where most of the treasures are found, but Paul had one more kick at the can.Β Paulβs βA Million to Oneβ is an unsung classic.Β A defiant StanleyΒ tells an ex that her chances of finding a better lover are βa million to oneβ.Β With such an awesome song backing him, Paul makes a convincing argument. Β He hits a homerun with melody and angst.
A trio of Simmons tunes ends Lick It Up as one of Kissβ heaviest album.Β βFits Like a Gloveβ is speedy-Kiss again, hyper-caffeinated and playing as fast as they can.Β Geneβs barking out the words, chewing them up, spitting them out and taking no prisoners.Β Then, he brings it back to a groove on βDance All Over Your Faceβ.Β Itβs a song you might not know, but you should.Β Kissβ deep cuts from the 80s have some rare diamonds, and this is one of them.
The closer was an apocalyptic rocker called βAnd on the 8th Dayβ which was based on a Vinnie Vincent demo.Β The verses of that demo became βAnd on the 8th Dayβ.Β The choruses became a later Vinnie Vincent Invasion track called βBoyz Are Gonna Rockβ, which we will look at later on.Β The two songs share DNA but have little else in common.Β The Vincent demo is the kind of speed rocker that dominated Lick It Up.Β Meanwhile the Kiss song βAnd on the 8th Dayβ has the slow monster plod, a killer riff, and a chorus that goes on for days.Β Although itβs never seen the light of a concert stage, it really should have.
Though Vinnie Vincent co-wrote the songs that may or may not have saved Kiss, he was a real problem.Β His personality didnβt mesh, and his ego got the better of him.Β He couldnβt come to an agreement with Kiss over his contract, and in fact never signed one to become an official Kiss member.Β This caused him to be let go at the end of the European Lick It Up tour.
Finding a replacement for Vincent wasnβt easy, and he was re-hired for the American tour, though he still delayed signing a contract. Β Issues with Vinnie grew on this tour, as he grabbed more of the spotlight from his bandmates.Β Like Ace Frehley before him, Vinnie was given a five minute solo spot, but sometimes Vinnie dragged them out well into overtime.Β This caused plenty of tension, especially when he once broke into an impromptu solo leaving the band on stage not sure what to do.Β The issue of Vinnieβs contract became a non-issue when he was let go permanently.Β The band have had very little good to say about Vinnie Vincent since then, especially when the lawsuits began.Β Despite this, Lick It Up was not to be Vinnieβs final collaboration with his former band.
Did Vinnie Vincent save Kiss?Β This argument will go on as long as there are Kiss fans to discuss it.Β Vinnie certainly did provide Kiss with some grade-A songs, both here and on Creatures of the Night.Β However he wasnβt the kind of guitar player they needed, who could play the old stuff authentically and also shred with the new kids.Β If Vinnie hadnβt come along, another talented writer would have, and Kiss would have continued.Β This doesnβt do anything to discredit Lick It Up, a damn fine βcomebackβ indeed.
Today’s rating:
5/5 stars
Uncle Meat’s rating:
3.5/5 steaksΒ
Meat’s slice: Β After my scathing review of Creatures of the Night, I wasnβt sure how to approach this Lick It Up Meatβs Slice. I guess I’ll start with March 15, 1984. My buddy Scott Hunter and I went to Maple Leaf Gardens to see Kiss on the Lick it Up tour, with supporting act Accept! This was to be my second Kiss concert, as we were also at Maple Leaf Gardens for the Creatures tour on January 14, 1983. A concert in which we didnβt know until well after that it wasnβt Ace Frehley on guitar…but none other than Vinnie Vincent. Of course Vinnie was on guitar for the Lick it Up tour as well. Great show with openers The Headpins. Before my 15th birthday, I had now seen Kiss twice. I am 47 now and havenβt seen them live since.
Kiss had taken the makeup off between these albums. Years before I remember seeing a People magazine in my grandmotherβs bathroom, while taking a shit, that showed Gene Simmons with a bandana over his face just over his nose. Up until now I had not seen any Kiss member without makeup. So there they are on the Lick It Up cover and all I can think is⦔Damnβ¦wish they still had makeup at least for that really ugly dude,” (Vinnie). Β The title track of the album has become a bit of a Kiss classic and is still a great song. Not a lot of this album is exceptionally great in my opinion, but there are some good gems in there. The best of which I think is “All Hellβs Breakin’ Loose”, which I have always loved and still do. Other than those two songs? The album lies somewhere between Meh and Good for me.
Funny Vinnie story for me though. Many years ago our makeshift band at the time were playing a Christmas assembly at St. Davidβs High School in Waterloo here. I was standing behind the soundboard as my guitar player was on stage doing a sound check. The sound guy asked my buddy Dave to play a bit to get a starting level. As per usual, Dave went ripping into some heavy metal bullshit soloing. After a few seconds of that I could see the sound guy waving his hands in the air in front of me, and after getting Daveβs attention, says into the microphone at the board, βOkay Vinnie Vincentβ¦Settle down there.β Β Always found that kinda defined the Vinnie Vincent Invasion.
Favorite Tracks: “All Hellβs Breakin’ Loose”, “Lick It Up”
Forgettable Tracks: I donβt know about forgettable, but the rest isnβt that memorable.
EUROPE – Best Ballads (1999 unofficial Russian compilation)
Ah Russian imports! Β Those funky and cheaply printed covers, the lack of liner notes or label information…how quaint. Β It is clear the Tempest Administration had no collusion with anyone in Russia. Β Yet the Russians did hack their database and release Best Ballads anyway, a weird collection of 12 Europe songs and three solo tracks by Joey Tempest. Β This CD originated during the period right before Europe’s triumphant reunion album Start From the Dark, so Best Ballads only contains music from the first five Europe discs.
Because it’s unauthorized and the Russians can do whatever they want, why not have both versions of “Open Your Heart” on one CD? Β The sweeping 1988 version from Out of this World inaugurates the album, a brilliant version often forgotten in favour of the 1984 original. Β What’s the difference? Β John Norum played on the 1984 version from Wings of Tomorrow, and the re-recording has his replacement Kee Marcello. Β The 1988 version also has more modern keyboards added. Β Since both are included, you don’t have to pick a favourite. Β We can all agree it truly is one of Europe’s Best Ballads.
What else is present? Β The “big one” of course, which would be “Carrie”. Β It’s the only track from The Final Countdown, because it was the only hit ballad from that album. Β Other crucial Europe ballads: Β “Dreamer” (Wings of Tomorrow), “Coast to Coast” and “Tomorrow” (both fromΒ Out of this World). Β All timeless and flawless ballads. Β From their first album (1983’s Europe) are a couple songs I wouldn’t have considered ballads. Β In my review, I stated that “Words of Wisdom” has “an acoustic verse [but] that doesnβt make it a ballad!” Β The other track, “Return of the King”, is “still pretty epic and wouldnβt be considered wimpy by anyone”. Β Do they belong on a CD called Best Ballads? Β Who gives a fuck; it’s just a Russian import!
You’ll even find a couple rarities included. Β “Sweet Love Child” and “I’ll Cry For You (Acoustic version)” are both B-sides from the Prisoners in Paradise (1991) period. Β The title track “Prisoners in Paradise” is also present but again, not really a ballad. Β Either way…all the Europe tunes included are fantastic no matter how you classify them. Β Each one has at least a foot in ballad territory so it all works out.
But what about those Joey Tempest “bonus tracks”? Β Surprisingly good and un-Europe. Β “Under the Influence” flies close to adult contemporary levels. Β “Lord of the Manner” could have been a hit for Rod Stewart, but that’s not a bad thing! Β This is more like soft rock than balladeering. Β “Elsewhere” sounds more like a ballad, enhanced with strings and all the accoutrements. Β All good songs and worth checking out.
Europe’s Best Ballads is not a bad little CD, but being an unofficial release, it’s difficult to reason out a rating out of 5. Β I did the best I could.
Here at mikeladano.com, we like Amanda Seyfried. Β She’s an actress who has also done plenty of singing. Β She has a great voice; check out the song “Mean Old Moon” below from Ted 2. Β She seems like she has a pretty good sense of humour, appearing in a couple McFarlane films, both of which made fun of her gigantic eyes.
So please welcome Amanda Seyfried to the latest edition of WTF Search Terms! Β It’s the original series of weird things that somebody thought to type into a search engine and somehow end up here!
1a.Β porn pictures of ted2 actress lawyer
1b.Β amanda seyfried feet ted (two searches!)
Here you go, pal. Β I guess this is the picture (from ourΒ Ted 2 review) that he came for!
And here’s the best of the rest for this instalment:
2.Β a disc of worms on the head
3. flower on shit
4.Β disgrace for cum
5. fifty shades of piss
6. dwonload full boobsy_animation_whores_wearing_glasses_acquire_screwed_hardcore_
7. leslie easterbrook arrested
8. solo jim carrey def leppard
9. japanese pornogramm
10. porn bonanza gallery
I hope you enjoyed these weird and wonderful search terms. Β More soon.
Some readers are young enough to never have known a time without the internet. Β Half my lifetime ago, in 1997, the World Wide Web was was a luxury that few had regular access to. Β Tom, T-Rev and myself were eager to check out what the web had to offer to a bunch of music geeks. Β We visited an internet cafe in downtown Kitchener, paid a couple bucks, and searched. Β Remember Webcrawler?
T-Rev was trying to find rare releases by Steve Earle, and another country rocker named Webb Wilder. Β Trevor owned his album Doo Dad and wanted to see what Wilder had been up to since. Β He found a plethora of releases listed on some now-defunct website. Β He also confirmed the existence of Steve Earle’s very rare debut EP, Pink and Black. Β Thus the Pink and Black EP became one of T-Rev’s first “Holy Grail” must-haves. Β Meanwhile, I was exploring previously unseen Deep Purple live albums and compilations.
Together we decided we should join forces and orderΒ some impossible-to-find CDs that we knew were out there, but lacked access to. Β Tom had a friend who had the internet at home: Β British Phil. Β What luck! Β One winter evening we ventured to British Phil’s house and gathered around a small computer monitor in the basement. Β CDNow was the best online retailer for music. Β We took turns browsing and deciding. Β The only one who didn’t order anything was British Phil. Β Trevor bought Webb Wilder’s Town and Country. Β I can’t remember what Tom would have chosen, but I remember mine well: Β Deep Purple’s Stormbringer. Β It was $30. Β I had it on cassette, but I was dying to get a CD copy.
British Phil and LeBrain
We pooled our goodies into one order and used my credit card. Β A week or two later, we each had some new music to enjoy. Β Our test run went smooth without a hitch. Β Having proven that ordering music online was safe and easy, the door had opened to hundreds upon hundreds of purchases over the years. Β Now, it’s simply second nature.
I need some new tunes and have a $25 Amazon gift card to burn. Β I think I’m going to place an online order right now!
When a band like Cinderella, who only have four studio albums, get a double CD “best of” compilation, it had better be good. Β Fortunately Cinderella’s edition of the Gold series offers value for the money and unreleased live tracks to boot.
All the Cinderella albums are represented, including the criminally underrated Still Climbing album from 1994. Β Cinderella did not “go grunge” as so many others did. Β As “Bad Attitude Shuffle” indicates, they simply doubled down on their own brand of bluesy hard rock with bite. Β From the same album, “Free Wheelin'” and “Talk is Cheap” both show fearless commitment to the genre. Β Then the ballad “Through the Rain” also from Still Climbing provides the balance. Β Cinderella have successfullyΒ employed ballads since day one, because they happen to be quite good at them.
Among their greatest ballads: “Don’t Know What You Got (‘Til It’s Gone)”, “Heartbreak Station”, “Coming Home”, “Wind of Change”, and “Nobody’s Fool”. Β Each one of these tracks is worthy to be on this compilation. Β Some of their slower material either bordered on blues, or were just flat-out blues songs. Β Some are here: Β “Long Cold Winter”, “Dead Man’s Road”, and “Sick For the Cure”. Β Then there is the soulful “Shelter Me” that is harder to categorize. Β But of course Cinderella are best known as a hard rock band, and most of the material falls into that vast category. Β Many of these tunes are truly awesome. Β “Shake Me” was first to gain attention, with some noting similarities to AC/DC. Β “Hot and Bothered”, originally from the Wayne’s World soundtrack, combines the blues and rock in a tasty confection. Β “Second Wind” from Long Cold Winter kicks ass, and “Gypsy Road” is here too, albeit in live form.
The live tracks are all credited to a Japanese promo CD called Last Train to Heartbreak Station, which appears to be a completely different thing from their Japanese EP called Live Train to Heartbreak Station. Β Rarities are always welcome on a compilation, but one has to wish that the great single “Gypsy Road” was also included in its studio version. Β It’s a good enough tune that it wouldn’t be a crime to have two versions on the same CD.
Because of theirΒ feminine name and some really bad wardrobe choices, Cinderella was written off by many people without hearing any of their rocking material. Β While that is a real shame, Cinderella hasn’t made a new album in 23 years so this would be a good one-stop-shop to get much of their best material. Β Augment this baby with a copy of their classic Long Cold WinterΒ CD and you will have enough Cinderella to have a good representation of their best stuff.
“If You Could Only See” was both the song the put Tonic on the map, and the one that put the bullet in their career. Β If you’re over a certain age, you remember the powerful and tasteful ballad from when it hit the charts in 1997. Β I had the album already. Β I bought it when it first came out, after reading a glowing review in the local paper and seeing a used copy pop in at the Record Store. Β Finding Jack Joseph Puig’s name in the producer credits got my attention too.
Tonic’s debut Lemon Parade is a great sounding CD, thanks to Puig and the richly arranged guitars of Emerson Hart and Jeff Russo. Β When the guitars are center stage, all is well. Β The opening duo of “Open Up Your Eyes” and “Casual Affair” have the punch that people don’t always associate with Tonic. Β These guys could play. Β “Casual Affair” in particular has angst and emotion ripping out of those six-strings. Β When they get heavy, like on “Wicked Soldier”, there is always something bright and chiming going on with backing guitars. Β Check out “Celtic Aggression” for a fine example of their guitar expertise. Β Emerson Hart has an emotive voice, whether rocking out or serenading the ballads.
It’s the ballads the people remember, and you have to admit that when you break it down, “If You Could Only See” is a fantastic song. Β Layers of chiming, chugging and sliding guitars are right there beneath the core melodies. Β On the mandolin-infused “Mountain”, plus “Soldier’s Daughter” and “Lemon Parade”, you can absolutely hear old-tyme southern influences creeping through. Β Tonic have traits that sound as if from another era, in many ways. Β These are actually quite great songs, largely forgotten because of that one hit.
There are only a few songs that don’t score top marks: Β “Thick” (no hooks), “Mr. Golden Deal” & “My Old Man” (both too sleepy). Β The rest is pretty solid.
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