This is Nina Simone's first album, released in 1957. It's an interesting glimpse into the origins of her unique "social cabaret" style in the early part of her career. Nuff said.
This is one of my favorite records of all time. The Descendents were (cue cliche) ahead of their time. Their pop punk stylings foreshadowed Greenday, the Offspring, Weezer and all the inane pap that was to follow (Blink 182 et al.).
After about 2 decades, I've been listening to this album a LOT again, and it's made me marvel at just how good they were. This to me is their best. It also marked the first appearance of lead singer Milo Aukerman, inspiration for the Milo character that was featured on most of their covers. And he was going off to college, hence the title (duh).
Later, they went more for the pop side of their sound, leaving behind their more creepy negative side - both in terms of lyrical content and the Black-Flag-influenced sound heard here.
Today I found out that founding member, guitarist, and the man responsible for their darker lyrics, Frank Navetta, passed away last Halloween (2008). He had quit the band back in 1958, burning all his gear to become a fulltime fisherman in Oregon.
So this entry becomes my belated tribute to Frank as well as to the Descendents. Rest in Peace.
Liz Phair. Once ubercool indie queen, she tried to go polished-pop, but it didn't take. Now she's on Dave Matthew's label, which is a nice midpoint between Matador and Capitol Records i suppose.
These are her casette 4 track demos that got her the Matador contract to rerecord many of the songs which would become "Exile in Guyville", which was rereleased by DM's label last summer.
