I really don’t give a shit what people say. “Oh it’s no big deal, I had a tooth out last week.” Well to me it’s a big deal. I’ve had teeth out before too, but never so seriously that they are advising five days of complete rest afterwards. Five days seems serious, right?
I was advised to treat myself to something nice to look forward to after the surgery, so after a lacklustre trip to Toys R Us (which apparently Rob Daniels didn’t know could be shortened to TRU!) I placed an Amazon order. And I ordered this sexy beast of a set.
It’s the first ever fully transformable Lego set, and it’s Optimus Prime himself. This toy has been getting (mostly) rave reviews so I decided this should be my get-well present to keep myself occupied. It has been about 15 years since I last purchased a Lego set. It will be fun to see how much the system has changed since I was into it.
So that was Sunday. Monday was a bit of a shit-show. Jen had three seizures, two of them in bed. I barely slept last night, but I made it through work today and now I’m off until next week. Poor girl really suffered yesterday. I worry about taking care of her during recovery. My parents will be pitching in to help since I won’t be able to do it all by myself.
I’ve been lucky to have plenty of support from friends. They know who they are!
Tomorrow’s the day. I’m scheduled for 8 AM. If I can, I will update you as soon as possible. I would like to record funny videos of swollen cheeks and muffled speech but I guess we shall see what I’m in for.
Today on Teeth Week, we have “Baby, Take Your Teeth Out” by Frank Zappa, from 1984’s Them Or Us. That album featured not just Frank on guitar, but also Steve Vai and Dweezil Zappa. Zappa’s tune isn’t about having your teeth taken out, but rather taking out your falsies, presumably for sexual purposes!
This hilarious song has elements of doo-wop and progressive space rock. Though the music is expectedly complex, the lyrics are quite simple. The speaker is asking his partner to take her teeth out, just to try one time. Leave ’em on the kitchen table, and he’ll recline. That’s about it!
Frank Zappa was a musical genius who juxtaposed that with humour. This song is a great example. Enjoy.
Baby take your teeth out Try it one time Baby take your teeth out Try it one time Leave ’em on the kitchen table
Baby take your teeth out It’ll be fine Baby take your teeth out It’ll be fine There ain’t nothin’ left to smile about
Baby take your teeth out You look divine Baby take your teeth out You look divine Go ahead and eat the label
Baby take your teeth out I will recline Baby take your teeth out I will recline There ain’t nothin’ left to talk about
Welcome to Teeth Week! Here we are – the week of my dental surgery. They’re putting me under on Wednesday the 28th, which is a first for me, and I don’t mind telling you I’m a little nervous! So let’s have some fun with it. This week we will be featuring songs involving teeth! The Def Leppard review series will continue next week. This week, let’s have a look at some teeth!
Motley Crue’s “Punched in the Teeth By Love” was written for 1991’s Decade of Decadence, but not properly recorded and released until 2000’s New Tattoo album. Or perhaps just the title was recycled on New Tattoo, since the final released version of “Punched in the Teeth By Love” is credited to Nikki Sixx, Vince Neil, Mick Mars and new Crue drummer Randy Castillo. Regarding, it’s one of the better songs on the album with a biting, if underwhelming, riff. The title of the song used to be somewhat of an anthem for me, as I had joked many times that I was going to steal it and write my own song based on my own experiences of being punched in the teeth by love.
As a kid, I had heard of Coney Hatch but never particularly paid attention. MuchMusic rarely included their tunes on the Pepsi Power Hour for unknown reasons. I probably heard “Hey Operator” but nothing else by the band. Timing was not in their favour with me. I wasn’t even into heavy rock yet when their first two albums came out. No wonder they passed me by. By the time I dove head-first into rock music on December 26 1984, I had already missed most of their career. Ironically though, Coney Hatch did have a song on the metal album that I heard that day, which was Masters of Metal II and “Hey Operator”.
Fast forward to summer 1990, and a hot “new” singer was making waves on MuchMusic. I didn’t really know who this Andy Curran guy was, but my best friend Bob loved his song “No Tattoos”. Bob was pretty anti-tattoo and felt that the coolest way was to have clean skin. He really identified with Andy’s lyrics. “No tattoos, gotta stay cool, my mama never raised no fool.”
Personally speaking I loved Motley Crue and their tattoo sleeves. I didn’t identify with “No Tattoos” the way Bob did. “I didn’t listen…I was scarred for life. And I couldn’t just stop at one!” That whole “scarred for life” line was one Bob really liked. It was a good song and I liked it, but it didn’t resonate with me like it did with Bob. So again, this Andy Curran guy slipped out of my mind when the single was over.
Suddenly, the Hatch had a new live album up for pre-order. Their first release in ages and ages. I decided it was time to finally take the plunge with Coney Hatch, and I’m glad I did. Live at the El Mocambo is one of my favourite live albums now! And I got in on the ground floor with it, limited signed copy: 19 of 300.
And then we landed an interview with Andy Curran! At this point I had to cram so I bought all the Rock Candy reissues of the Coney Hatch albums, and the self-titled Andy Curran. The “No Tattoos” record, as he calls it. Interview prep is serious business, and I did the best I could in the given amount of time. But I didn’t want to fake it. When I found myself vis-a-vis with Andy Curran, I fessed up. I was new. I was a Coney Hatch rookie who had done his best crash course in a band that I was growing to love.
And Andy was so cool about it. In fact he came back two more times to complete our chat and answer every question we had.
Better late than never — check out Andy and some Coney hatch today.
Last month we gave Journey’s new album Freedom a glowing review. We also did an excellent episode of Tim’s Vinyl Confessions to discuss the new album. Though many were sceptical, Tim and I agreed more or less on the entire album. We were both pleasantly surprised at its quality. What was missing was the Japanese bonus 16th track. Neither of us got a hold of it…until now.
The bonus track, exclusive to Japan, is a Jon Cain penned track called “Hard To Let It Go”. If you are predicting the song is a ballad…you would be correct.
Spoiler: Tim’s comment upon hearing “Hard To Let It Go” was “I can see why the Journey track didn’t make the album…so-so.”
Below you can read the full Journey Freedom review, now including bonus track.
What a…well, Journey…it has been! First drummer Deen Castronovo was fired for…reasons we won’t get into. Steve Smith was brought back to replace him, until both Smith and bassist Ross Valory were fired for attempted takeover of the band? One way or another they ended up with Randy Jackson and Narada Michael Walden forming a lethal new rhythm section. Also added was second keyboardist Jason Derlatka. Now Deen is back and the album they created together, Freedom, is a special one compared to all the other post-Perry records. Musically, Freedom is the strongest lineup since the classic era. With Narada on songwriting, there is a clear uptick in memorable material. 16 songs, and a more satisfying listen than the last three or four Journey studio albums. Freedom actually feels like a three sided album, with five songs per side (plus the bonus track). Listen with that in mind and see if you agree.
1. “Together We Run” – Classic 80s sound with a catchy Jon Cain piano opening. Awesome chorus. The “Woah Woah Woah” part is excellent. Top it with a classic Schon solo. Arnel Pineda sounds more soulful than before. 5/5
2. “Don’t Give Up On Us” – This is the “Separate Ways” ripoff. Tell me you can’t hear it. It’s slowed down a tad, but similar. Good tune though! 4/5
3. “Still Believe in Love” – The first ballad. Narada’s really nailing that soul vibe on drums. Really soft/romantic but good. 4/5
4. “You Got the Best of Me” – Second single. Solid Journey style hard rocker. Narada nails this vibe too in a style reminiscent of Steve Smith. Chorus is stellar. 5/5
5. “Live to Love Again” – Jonathan Cain solo writing credit. A bit corny but not more so than other Journey ballads or Bon Jovi for that matter. 3/5
6. “The Way We Used To Be” – First single, so long ago! Darker, more ominous Journey, but absolutely killer. Takes a while to sink it. Works better on the album than as a single. Powerful, with great chorus. 5/5
7. “Come Away With Me” – Uncharacteristic hard rock groover. Randy Jackson for the win. Do I hear an homage to the first album on this one? Relentless song! 5/5
8. “After Glow” – Ballad #3. At least each ballad is different from one another, which is necessary on an album like this. Deen Castronovo on lead vocals. Very Steve Perry circa Trial By Fire. 3.5/5
9. “Let It Rain” – Woah! Completely different. Funk courtesy of Mr. Randy Jackson on bass. Solid unexpected funky groove going on here. Schon is mental! 4/5
10. “Holdin’ On” – Randy’s first co-write. Very much an homage to the first three progressive Journey albums. Time signature is nuts. 4/5
11. “All Day, All Night” – Randy Jackson is MVP for his bass pulse on this soulful, funky groove. Wicked song, An album highlight. Schon just punctuates the air with some chords while the bass carries the verses. Arnel in top voice on the screamin’ outro. 5/5
12. “Don’t Go” – Arnel’s first co-write. Like early 80’s Bon Jovi with an uplifting power chorus. 5/5
13. “United We Stand” – No quite a ballad, but a midtempo tune. Lyrics could be interpreted as about the division in the US. Not a highlight, just kinda sits there. 3/5
14. “Life Rolls On” – A song about aging and rolling with the changes. Begins as a ballad and transforms into a rocker. Nice organ on here by Jon Cain. 4/5
15. “Beautiful As You Are” – Album closing ballad/rocker. Lovely acoustic closer. Understated and perfect until it goes rocker at the end. Arnel in top voice hitting the high notes. Homage to classic Journey at the end – “Anytime”? Walden kicking absolutely ass on the outro. 5/5
16. “Hard To Let It Go” – Ballads can work very well as bonus tracks; an added “coda” to a track listing. “Hard To Let It Go” takes a few listens to like. If it were in the main tracklist, it would fade into the background in the wake of better songs. Slow, deliberate, with an excellent speedy bluesy solo by Neal. (Steve Perry did call Neal Schon one of the best blues players in the world on the Captured live album.) Really though, the song is B-side quality compared to the rest of Freedom. It stands out a little more thanks to its positioning as the last song. 3/5
Freedom is the first Journey since Trial By Fire that really intrigues you enough to go in for multiple listens. This lineup has it all and though health issues have gotten in they way of Randy and Narada touring, the album is a moment frozen in time when Journey had these two awesome veterans in the engine room.
Summer is over. Today is the first day of fall. For the final cottage video of the summer, you can see more of the incredible wildlife that we have come to expect. This is edited to the tune of my favourite Tee Bone Erickson song, “The Last Train”.
While it is always sad when summer comes to an end, it must be remembered that things are not like they once were. I don’t think I’ve ever gone swimming in September before. Fall is not necessarily the depressing wet cold thing it was in the 80s or even the 90s.
This video also features a cameo by my old friend and guest contributor Aaron Lebold. I don’t think I have seen Aaron in person since the Record Store days! We hung out and shot the shit for about an hour. He brought me some crazy Optimus Prime figures that you will see as well. Good to see an old friend, and good to have company at the lake, which we have not had since well before the pandemic.
Thanks to Aaron of theKMAfor sending this record for my 50th birthday! 50th anniversary edition for my 50th trip around the sun.
JETHRO TULL – Thick As A Brick (Originally 1972, 50th Anniversary Chrysalis Steven Wilson remix, cut 1/2 speed vinyl edition)
This review is focused on the remix and packaging of the 50th anniversary edition. For a more music-focused analysis, read our 25th Anniversary CD review. That CD came out in 1997. How does that make you feel? Here we are on the 50th anniversary of this great album already.
Even those who dislike remixes often approve of those done by Steven Wilson. In 2012, for Thick As A Brick‘s 40th anniversary, Wilson created new stereo and 5.1 mixes for the album. Such remixes work best when you play the album and can’t quite tell exactly what has changed. Such is the case for Thick As A Brick. The bass sounds deeper and the album sounds bigger. You may notice musical elements you didn’t pick up on before, but the remix was clearly done with respect and never deviates too far from what you know.
The 5.1 remix is scheduled for a reissue in the fall, as even the 40th anniversary edition will get a reprint after nearly a decade out of print.
This vinyl LP was cut at 1/2 speed at AIR Studios. According to the front sticker, this was performed on “a fully customized Neumann VMS80 lathe with fully recapped electronics”. According to the same sticker, the 1/2 speed cutting allows better recreation of high frequencies. I probably can’t hear them anyway, but in short: the record sounds amazing! The nuances of the flute, the organ, the acoustics…all here. All thick as a brick! Punchy. More three-dimensional. Because everything is so clear and in your face, this is my preferred way to listen to Thick As A Brick. There is no struggling to hear any of the parts. It’s all there, with good separation too.
For this reissue, the newspaper packaging has been reproduced full size. The actual sleeve of the album is a 12 page newspaper. This was, of course, discontinued for most reissues over the past decades. Like a real newspaper, this packaging include crosswords and advertisements, all fake and meticulously assembled to entertain and baffle those who stumbled upon it. The outer page, which becomes the front cover, is of harder paper stock than the inner pages. There have been complaints of bent and damaged pages inside the shrink wrap, but this copy was perfect upon opening.
In case you need to be told, Thick As A Brick is one song, split over two sides of vinyl. “Thick As A Brick” sides one and two; there’s your complete tracklisting! It must be said that though side two tends to get less appreciation, the last 10 minutes are pure progressive rock delight. The album just gallops on side two.
Get your newspaper and a coffee, and sit down to enjoy the Steven Wilson remix of Thick As A Brick. It’s a lovely way to spend your day.
DEF LEPPARD – Viva! Hysteria – Live at the Joint, Las Vegas (Part 2 – CD 2 & bonus features) (2013 Bludgeon Riffola)
When Def Leppard rocked Vegas, they rocked it with far more than just a faithful live reproduction of the Hysteria album. They also “opened” for themselves as “Ded Flatbird”, and treated the diehards to a set of 15 deep cuts and lesser hits. For many, this is in fact the superior part of the show. Indeed, Leppard really pulled some surprises out of the bag, finally satisfying a number of fans who perennially complained, “Why don’t they play ‘A’, ‘B’, or ‘C’?” With a wink and a smile, they did. They performed two completely different sets as Ded Flatbird, on March 29 and March 30 2013.
Beginning with the March 29 set, the unlisted intro is a bit of “Won’t Get Fooled Again”, which is not present on the CD, only the DVD. Then it’s onto the first shocker of the night, and probably the biggest: non-album B-side “Good Morning Freedom”, from the single “Hello America“. Straight-ahead riff rock. It sounds surprisingly at home with the current version of Leppard. Phil rips a solo and Rick Allen can’t wipe the smile off his face. For the occasion of opening for himself, Phil Collen wears a shirt. (Appropriate for an “opening act”, the backdrop is a simple union jack flag, hiding the big screens that would come out for the main set.)
As soon as “Good Morning Freedom” has struck its final chord, and standing in front of a stack of EVH amps, Phil rips into the delicious “Wasted” single. This song from the first album is the one fans have been begging for, for years. Joe’s voice is lower and rougher, and perhaps even more effective. The song is still lethal! That riff could be the most devastating one in their entire catalogue.
From Pyromania, “Stagefright” is another welcome inclusion. Joe struggles with the challenging screamin’ vocals but he does the job. He doesn’t cheat the notes. This is the Leppard that fans have been wanting to see live all this time. Then another shock: from High ‘n’ Dry it’s “Mirror Mirror”! Joe introduces Ded Flatbird as the best Def Leppard cover band in the world, and he must be right. The tackle this, one of early Leppard’s sharpest and most melodically riffy songs, with ease.
Joe claims his name is “Booty Ruben” as they kick into the Sweet cover “Action”. There are several official live versions out there. This is one of ’em. Not a song necessary for anyone to need another live version of, but once again Rick Allen can’t seem to stop smiling. Back to the oldies, it’s another surprise with the early single “Rock Brigade”. Perhaps by adopting the alternate identity of Booty Ruben (who swears Joe Elliott is a nice guy!), Joe is able to sing these old lyrics from a lifetime ago without feeling too silly. He sounds awesome on the On Through the Night material. Their music hadn’t got really screamy yet and Joe rocks it with ease.
Another surprise comes next, albeit a more recent one. From their last album, Mirror Ball, is the rarely played “Undefeated”. Though not one of their most outstanding songs, even the generic “Undefeated” deserves to be heard live at least once. This is to date the only live version you can buy. “Promises” from Euphoria is the last song of this set, and it sounds really great live with rich backing vocals.
The March 30 Ded Flatbird set brings us another set of delight. After “Won’t Get Fooled Again”, they go right into “On Through the Night” from High ‘n’ Dry. A bit “Achilles Last Stand”, isn’t it? Screamin’ Joe manages well.
The surprising “Slang” from 1996 introduces modern beats. It sounds good live, if a bit under-energetic. Sounds like it’s just a little shy of full concert electricity. But that’s OK. If energy is what you need, then Leppard come at you with both barrels for the remainder of the set: it’s all of side one of High ‘n’ Dry, in sequence. “That ain’t good enough?” asks Joe/Booty. No, no, it’s plenty good, this is what we have been asking for all this time!
“Let It Go” powers the show forward. Amazing how close they nail it considering the Def Leppard of today has two different guitar players than the band of 1981. Yet “Let It Go” is the triumph you want it to be. “Another Hit and Run” is pure smoke. Full speed ahead, Screamin’ Joe givin’ it all he’s got, and Viv and Phil ripping the solos while Rick and Rick keep blasting it forward. “High ‘n’ Dry (Saturday Night)” brings the tempo down but the temperature up. What a riff, and what a fist pumper.
The closing pair of “Bringin’ on the Heartbreak” and “Switch 625” are a thrilling way to end this set. Like a true guitar duo, Vivian Campbell and Phil Collen walk together to the ramp protruding from the front of the stage, and play “Switch 625” united. It’s beautiful. Not to be left out, Ricks Allen and Savage then get a bass/drum outro together.
The DVD has a few more extras to discuss. There’s a brief and somewhat pointless photo gallery, to the tune of “Animal” live. None of the photos are on screen long enough to really study. A better bonus is the “Acoustic Medley”, which is on the DVD but not on CD, except in Japan where it was included as the bonus track. We’ll discuss this awesome bonus next time.
Viva! Hysteria is an excellent package from top to bottom. The band were fearless, playing material that they have shied away from for years. Two CDs, one DVD, and a total of 30 tracks. Leppard worked hard to get these songs into shape live, and Joe in particular had a lot of challenging material to sing. They pulled it off, with flying colours, proving that Def Leppard are just as good as they ever were.
mikeladano.com 