Stale Single #5: Far Behind

Song:  Far Behind
Artist:  Candlebox
Album:  Candlebox
Year:  1993

Does anyone still remember Candlebox?  Man, they were the shit for like a minute in the early to mid '90's. Then, well, they faded from the public consciousness.  Which is too bad...I think they had some real talent and should've been a lot bigger.  I mean, fuck, Creed was HUGE.  Why couldn't have Candlebox been as big as them?

Song #5 on the Candlebox self-titled album is the track Far Behind.  I liked this song from the first time that I heard it.  I feel like Far Behind had a throwback feel (like to the 80's) but with a more modern edge to it.  I dug it...and still kinda do.

Far Behind was one of the songs from their debut album that actually got quite a bit of airplay (at least in Tampa) during that time.  Which makes sense, because it was one of the standout tunes on the album.

Anyway...Candlebox disappeared for most of the early 2000's while the members went off and did other stuff.  But, but, but, they are back on the scene, baby!  So, go on and get your nostalgia on and go see 'em live.  Check out their website, here.

Stale Single #4: Joe Black

Song:  Joe Black
Artist:  Paul Sanchez
Album:  Wasted Lives and Bluegrass
Year:  1994

Paul Sanchez is a very nice guy.  He's also got the city of New Orleans crawling through his blood.  Both times I got to meet and speak with Paul, he was always gracious and really wanted to talk about the city he holds so dear.  Seriously…VERY nice person.

Paul was the longtime rhythm guitarist for New Orleans-born rock band, Cowboy Mouth.  In my humble opinion, that band has not been the same since Paul Sanchez left.  No disrespect to the fellas left in the band (John Thomas Griffith is a fantastic guy, too).

Anyway, Joe Black is a funky little number on the Wasted Lives and Bluegrass album.  I'm not sure why I picked this one to highlight on Stale Reviews…maybe it's the sweet little run that Paul plays on this track.  Maybe because it's just a fun song that clocks in at a little over of two minutes.

Maybe it's because I just like it!  It's my blog…I can do what I want.

Joe Black's lyrics don't really jibe with the upbeat rhythm of the guitar playing.  The lyrics are melancholy and a little bit fucked up.  But, I am  the kind of person that likes the juxtaposition of happy-feeling music with downer lyrics.

Paul did well on this one.

It also struck me that this album is also over twenty years old.  Damn!

Stale Single #1: Jacob's Ladder

Song:  Jacob's Ladder
Artist:  Huey Lewis & The News
Album:  Fore!
Year:  1986

"Do you like Huey Lewis and the News?"

- Patrick Bateman, American Psycho

You know that scene in American Psycho where Patrick Bateman is giving his treatise on Huey Lewis and the News?  It's such a great scene because of the impending murder of who he is talking to, but also because of the simple idle chat of one of the greatest bands of the '80s.

For real.  Many of you all don't even remember the 1980's.  But, if you had any sense of the pulse of popular culture back then you would know all about Huey and his band.  Huey Lewis and the News was EVERYWHERE back in the day.  Movies (Back To The Future), TV shows, MTV, etc...the band was all over the place.  Say what you want about Huey Lewis and the News.  Tell me that they are lame '80s bullshit.  But, I will say "Fuck you, kind sir.  Huey Lewis and the News were the absolute shit".  Respectfully, of course.

Anyway,  Jacob's Ladder is one of my favorite tunes of Huey and the guys.  It wasn't really one of their smash hits back in the day but it's truly a great song.  Written by the venerable Bruce Hornsby and his brother, Bruce gave it to his friend Huey to record and use on their album.  Actually, Bruce and his band did a fantastic rendition of Jacob's Ladder on their album Scenes From The Southside.  

The song itself is all about rejecting those biblical proselytizers that often are seen on television spewing hellfire and brimstone or out and about on the street berating others about their lifestyle and their need to repent.

Like that poor fan-dancer out in the south side of Birmingham.

Life is a struggle, yo, says Huey through the lyrics of his friend Bruce.  But...step by step, one day at a time, anyone can make it through.  It's truly one of those uplifting songs.

So, this is our first Stale Single...hope you like it.  Sometimes it's fun just to look at one song, tell a quick story, and get the fuck out before anyone gets bored.

Stale Music Review #15: Rage Against The Machine

Rage Against The Machine by Rage Against The Machine

Cost: $6.99

Track Count: 10

I suppose this counts as a bargain bin find.  You see, a couple of years ago my copy of RATM's first album was, gasp!, stolen.  So when I had the chance to re-purchase the album at a serious discount, I totally did.  Therefore, I feel that it is perfectly acceptable to spout off about this record on this here blog.  If you feel like I am bending the rules a bit...well, sorry.

Rage Against the Machine burst on to the national scene with the release of 1992's self-titled debut. The time period was perfect for the album and vice versa.  RATM was a perfect combination of metal, hip hop, hardcore punk, raw aggression, and unbridled anger.  The band was just a perfect amalgamation of all the musical elements that strike a positive chord in your humble writer.  The band is a tight playing force and singer Zach de la Rocha was, and still is I reckon, a miniature tornado...just fierce all around.

In '92, Rage Against the Machine was easily the most interesting band on the scene.  The combination of all their musical influences and abilities coupled with their political beliefs and absolute confidence in throwing them out to the masses...it was just a rare thing at that time.  Rage is obviously a highly influential act to many of the guys and gals that followed behind them.  You can thank (or not) Rage for the likes of Korn, Linkin Park, Limp Bizkit...etc.  Without Rage Against the Machine music would be a little...bland.

Track List and Thoughts

1.  Bombtrack.  I love the little bass-lick at the beginning of this tune.  There is a certain level of intensity that builds up to the main riff.  Good song and the perfect track to kick off the album.  It's almost a smack to the face saying "Here we are, fucker".  As a bonus, it's a little funky, too.
2.  Killing In The Name.  This song JAMS and is has much more groove than ANY metal tune of that particular era.  Name another...I dare ya.  Killing in the name also has the most quoted RATM lyric of all time "Fuck you I won't do what you tell me...".
3.  Take The Power Back.  It's really going back and listening to this album again after a hiatus do I realize how fucking great the bass playing is on this album.  This is a fantastic song and the bass carries it.  "Bring that shit in...".  Tim Commeford kills it on this track.
4.  Settle For Nothing.  In my opinion, the one song on RATM that does not really fit in with the rest of the grouping.  It's a super slow build...more of a spoken word performance by Zach than anything. There are some wicked cool sonic sounds created by Tom Morello on this one, though.  Headphones definitely do this track justice.  Still, my least favorite song on the album.
5.  Bullet In The Head.  Full of the signature guitar tones, squeaks, and squeals by guitar hero Tom Morello.  When I first heard this album, I was amazed that there were absolutely no noises made by electronic means...other than a guitar.  I was convinced there was a DJ in this band.  Nope.  Bullet In The Head is an amazing song in that respect...  Good tune.  The breakdown is killer, too.
6.  Know Your Enemy.  The second best track on this album.  It's got far more metal elements within than any other tune on the record.  The guitar riff is amazing and drives the record.  Like most of the music RATM write there is a seriously heavy funk element that underlies anything metal that they put out.  It sounds like heavy rock but these dudes have definitely been influenced by the funk days of yore.
7.  Wake Up.  Pure unbridled rage in the voice of the singer, Zach.  Amazing they lasted as long as they did before breaking up.  The voice of the singer should be gone by the end of the first few songs of a live set.  Amazing.  Oh yeah...Wake Up is a funky and heavy jam.  Very nice.
8.  Fistful of Steel.
9.  Township Rebellion.  The bass playing...fuck it's good.  Just kind of weird but super technical all at the same time.  This song is very strange and interesting.  Gives a little insight into the political leanings of the band members at the time.
10.  Freedom.  The best song on the album.  We can argue about it if you want.  But, this song is a fucking jamming creature that just gets in your blood.  The primal roar at the end of "FREEEEEDOOOOMMMMM...yeah right!",  Fuck, this is a good song.

Side Note:  Rage Against the Machine was doing a tour with the Beastie Boys back in the day and sure enough I had me some tickets.  Obviously, I was psyched.  A week before their scheduled performance, Mike D broke his foot (or his hand or knee or something) and the tour was cancelled. Rage promptly broke up soon after and I would never get to see either band live.  Rage Against the Machine is together again but I doubt it would be the same.  I will never get to see the Beasties live...RIP MCA.

Now I'm sad.  

Stale Music Review #14: Buck 'O Nine

28 Teeth by Buck-o-Nine

Cost: $3.99

Track Count: 14

I've been listening to 28 Teeth for soooo many years.  This album is another one of those "time travel" records for me...takes me straight back to my early days of just being out of college and drinking copious quarts of beer.  It never fails...every time I listen to the record I feel like getting an Olde English.

Buck-O-Nine has been around since the early nineties, yet nobody really knows that because grunge was king during that time.  So, the SoCal (San Diego, to be exact) band hashed out their sound and perfected their craft for a few years before releasing the ska masterpiece, 28 Teeth.

I won't spend too much time on the band itself.  They're still going strong and their website is pretty good.  Good check it out...www.buckonine.com.

One weird sidenote about this band.  I went to see Primus (Primus sucks!) and lo' and behold, Buck-O-Nine were the opener.  It was such a weird pairing but I had a blast.  Or at least I think I had a blast.  Malt Liquor, folks.

Here's the track run-down and some funsies about some of them.

1.  Round Kid.  Love this song.  Seriously, cannot get enough of this one.  It's a go-to when I need a little pick me up.
2.  Nineteen.  "Anything is possible".  Great song.  It moves and grooves, folks.
3.  Albuquerque.  Another fun ska tune.  Upbeat with motion...lyrics are inconsistent with the feel of the music.  Which may be why it works.  The horns are great on this one, though.
4.  Tear Jerky.  The horn section in this band is so fucking tight.  Really great players.
5.  I'm the Man.
6.  Jennifer's Cold.  This song is hilarious.  Such a mundane topic.  I should research this some more but I have a feeling that it was written as a serious diss to someone named Jennifer.
7.  Steve Was Dead.
8.  What Happened to my Radio?.  Remember folks, this album came out before any streaming services existed and iTunes appeared.  So, we spent much time with the radio...you know, the real radio?  Seems so archaic.  This was Buck-o-Nine lamenting how shitty radio was back then.
9.  Twenty-Eight Teeth.  Title track showcases just how good the horn section is.
10.  Peach Fish.
11.  Record Store.  Once again, back in the day, kids, we used to go to places called record stores.  Where they sold CD's and Records.  Weird concept, right?  Great fucking tune, though.
12.  My Town.  The standout track on this album.  "My town, my street...".  Listen to this and just try to be depressed.  I fucking dare you.
13.  Little Pain Inside.  Goofy song.  Filler.

Twenty Eight Teeth is a throwback to the days where radio existed, record stores existed, and ska music was actually well regarded.  It's a great record; definitely worth the forty minutes or so to let it run end to end.  Give it a try, fuckers!

www.buckonine.com
www.asianmanrecords.com

Stale Book Review #37: Bicycle Diaries

Bicycle Diaries by David Byrne

Cost: $3.99US

Page Count: 300

"And you may ask yourself

Well, how did I get here?" 

- Once In a Lifetime, Talking Heads

Sitting down to read Bicycle Diaries made me feel a little bit smarter; a little bit more cultured.  This has everything to do with David Byrne's writing style and his obvious love for the written word.  The dude just oozes high culture.

To be frank, I never really got into the whole "art rock" movement.  Maybe it's because I hail from central Florida and nowhere near Central Park in NYC.  But, I was never drawn to the avant garde or the true artist freak culture.  Therefore, much music has not entered into my field of (aural) vision.  Sonic Youth, Nico, The Velvet Underground...don't know much about them, at all.  They seemed just a bit too "high society" for a poor Florida cracker who grew up on the teats of Creedence, Skynyrd, and Zepplin.  But...I did like the Talking Heads.  So, I've got respect for Byrne even though he is definitely more cultured than I.

While on tour and while traveling, David Byrne often tools around various cities on a bicycle.  Hence, the name of the book.  In my book, this is pretty cool.  There is no better way to truly get to know a new place than from the saddle of a bike.  Byrne writes about these jaunts through foreign cities in Bicycle Diaries.  Paris, Sydney, NYC...they are all beautifully painted by Byrne in such a way that the reader can practically smell the shit on the city streets of Manila.  David Byrne is an artist.

To some extent, Motley Crue singer Vince Neil is an artist.  He creates music so that is an art.  But, it's super one-dimensional.  Not to disparage the Crue or Vince, but in the grand scheme of life their "art" is stupid as fuck.  It plays to the retarded masses...that's why I like it.

But, there is something MORE to Byrne as an artist.  Music, painting, photography, etc...these are all arenas in which I feel that the author could express a high level of expertise whilst in conversation.  This level of artistry and knowledge weasels its way into his writing.  The city streets become canvases; the bike his paintbrush; the words his paint. 

This book, in my honest opinion, is fucking difficult to describe.

There are times during the stretch of Bicycle Diaries where Byrne is too wordy, a bit pretentious, a lot erudite, and sometimes pompous.  It doesn't happen much but there are times when I was reading when I muttered, "Just get to the point, fucker".  But, these moments are overshadowed by the fact that the book is well-crafted and amazingly well-researched.  This author knows his shit.  And he knows it.

It took me a long time to finish Bicycle Diaries.  I read it here and there...never truly getting engrossed. I attribute this to the writing style;  it can be heavy.  It was read in chunks and pieces and not by chapter.  It's probably because I am just a lowly blog-writing dude.  But, this book, in the end, turned out to be pretty good.  Very informative. 

I must say that Bicycle Diaries ain't gonna be for everyone.  But, those that stick with it are definitely going to learn something.

If you like music, musicians, and travel journals give this book a shot.  

www.davidbyrne.com

www.rockhall.com

Stale Music Review #10: Lagwagon

Hoss by Lagwagon

Cost: $4.99US

Song Count: 14

Yes, there are other Lagwagon records.  There may even be better Lagwagon records.  But, Hoss was my first and therefore in my eyes reigns supreme.

Where to start with Lagwagon?  They are a SoCal punk rock band that has, at this time, put out ten records on NOFX's Fat Mike's Fat Wreck Chords.  They've turned down offers in the past to join major labels, which often leads to mainstream success, but something within the band had resisted and they've stayed with Fat forever.  

The music itself:  tight, fast, melodic...jeebus they sound like it would feel skateboarding along the ocean in San Diego or something.  They just feel very SoCal.  

On a side note:  Lead singer Joey Cape is an interesting dude.  He has Lagwagon and also takes part in Me First and the Gimme Gimmes (which is a punk rock supergroup that parodies/covers old classic tunes).  He also has put out a couple of folk albums which are very good.  Excellent even.

Here's the track list and the standouts:

1.  Kid's Don't Like to Share

2.  Violins:  Other than E Dagger (on Blaze) and Alien 8 (on Double Plaidinum) this could be in my top 3 Lagwagon tunes.  No, it is in the top 3.  It's good.

3.  Name Dropping

4.  Bombs Away:  Another standout tune on this album.  Tight, fast playing.  Yet, still remains melodic.  I'll tell you...these guys have the melodic punk rock thing down to a motherfucking science.

5.  Move the Car

6.  Sleep:  Great song.  

7.  Sick

8.  Rifle:  I really like this song.  I used to argue with a buddy (when we were both highly inebriated) back in the day about the song Rifle.  He hated it, just despised it.  I, on the other hand, just love the song.  Maybe I like it so much to be contrary...I'm an asshole like that.

9.  Weak

10.  Black Eye:  Yes.  I am not a drummer.  Never claimed to be.  I just cannot coordinate my hands and feet in such a manner.  But, on Black Eye...the drumming is absolutely incredible.  That was drummer Derrick Plourde playing his ass off on this track.  He passed away in 1997 (RIP).

11.  Bro Dependent:  These guys were using the word 'Bro' before it became cool.  Remember, this was 1995.

12.  Razor Burn

13.  Shaving Your Head

14.  Ride the Snake:  A slowish, dirgish track right at the end of the disc.  It's weird and it kind of 'throbs' (if that is a good word).  I think it's a good ending.

Anyway, as far as Lagwagon records go...Hoss is by far my favorite.  As far as punk rock goes, Lagwagon is certainly one of my favorite bands.  

Stale Book Review #31: Turned On

Turned On:  A biography of Henry Rollins by James Parker

Cost: $0.75US

Page Count: 248

Yeah, yeah, I promised no more rock books for a while.  Well...I fuckin lied!

I've had Turned On lying around the house for quite a while now and hadn't ever really gotten around to reading the sucker.  Actually, I had a gift card to Barnes and Noble earlier this year and order a copy.  It came and was autographed by Mr. Parker.  I thought that was cool, so it went on my sizable autographed book bookshelf.  There it sat, unread.  I don't read signed books.  It fucks them up.

Anyway, back to the Rollins story.  After reading Turned On, I have my doubts about whether or not James Parker has actually met Henry.  He may have stated that he had not, don't remember.  But, the whole book just seems like anecdotes and interviews pulled from various sources (old magazines, television appearances, internet sources, etc...).  It's not like there is anything wrong with the book.  I was just hoping for more Henry.  Don't know Henry Rollins?  Let me give you the brief synopsis...Hell, after this you may not need to even read this book!

-  Henry Garfield is from Washington DC and grew up in a time where the DC punk movement was just taking foothold.  He is close friends with Dischord founder and Fugazi/Minor Threat frontman, Ian Mackaye.  The two grew up to become part of the underlying fabric of punk rock in the US:  Minor threat (Mackaye) and Black Flag (Garfield - Rollins).  Anyway, Henry was asked to try out to sing for punk heavyweights Black Flag, got the job, changed his surname to Rollins, and hit the road with the band.  This was trial by fire because Black Flag fans don't fuck around and he spent much time taking abuse.  Things happen with Flag.  Greg Ginn (leader of Black Flag) breaks up the band and Henry is left hanging.  So, he continues with spoken word performances, which he still does to this day, and finally gets the Rollins Band off the ground.  They were completely bad ass.  Loved me some Rollins Band.  His crew blows up after it hits Lollapallooza , MTV, blah blah blah and Henry gets famous with the world...not just punkers.  But, I think the Nirvana explosion had a lot to do with the younger generation looking upon Henry as an elder-statesman of alternative music.  Kurt loved Black Flag, therefore his fans loved Flag...but, I digress.  Since then, Henry has been in movies, on television (a lot), and has written numerous books.  I've read most of them and they are pretty rad.  Sure, Henry Rollins is surly and prickly and intense and driven...but, he's just so darn likable at the same time.

That, my friends is basically a synopsis of Turned On by James Parker.  The interview he did with the fellas from Black Flag and the like (or that he "borrowed" from other sources) are actually pretty good.  I also have to give it to Parker, his writing is fairly decent, too.

So, for seventy five cents...totally worth it.  This will take up space on my Music Biography bookshelf until someone wants to borrow it...or have it.

Check out Henry's books and the like at:   http://henryrollins.com/ 
Check out James Parker at:  http://www.theatlantic.com/james-parker/

Stale Book Review #18: Wouldn't It Be Nice

Wouldn't It Be Nice: My Own Story by Brian Wilson

Cost: $0.75US

Page Count: 390

Wouldn't It Be Nice is the autobiography of the Beach Boy legend, Brian Wilson.  Admittedly, this book took me an abnormally long time to finish.  I will get to my reasons why this was so in a minute.  However, the book covers the early years with the Beach Boys, as well as some early family stuff, which I'm not normally into but, in Wilson's case is critically important to the story.

So, Brian Wilson is a musical genius.  Totally true.  The man has a gift for harmony and putting together pop tunes that were the absolute shit when my mother was a kid.  However, Brian Wilson is totally fucking nuts, too.  Not "Hey watch him snort a line of ants"-nuts...more like, "Hey, the dude hasn't showered in a few weeks nor has he come out of his house in six months"-nuts.  There is a hug difference.  One is amusing, the other is just sad.

This was easily the saddest book I have ever read.  The mental decline of Wilson brought tears to my eyes on more than one occasion.  This, my dear friends, never happens when I read.  Ever.  

Brian Wilson, while I am sure no saint in the eyes of many, is just a tragic figure in pop history.  Albeit homeboy isn't dead yet.  He sure came close, though.  The tragedy of him recounting the successes and meteoric rise of the Beach Boys and then in the same breath reliving his slow descent into madness just made my heart sink.

As far as "music biographies" go, Wouldn't It Be Nice is a good one.  Far heavier than I ever thought it would be, the story is gripping and the characters...well, the characters you should all know by know.  An emotional read, sure.  But, you won't be disappointed in the end.

Here are few random notes after reading:

1.  Brian Wilson was THE reason the Beach Boys were famous.  The others should kiss his nuts whenever they see him.

2.  The Wilson father was a twat.  Greedy, conniving, just a complete douche.

3.  Mike Love came off as another big piece of crap.  Maybe he is or maybe he isn't, but I do like his voice.  However, it's still kind of sad that a 70+ year old man is singing these songs.  But, I guess if Ozzy and the Stones can do it...

4.  Dennis Wilson was friends with the Manson Family.  That is just way too crazy for me.

5.  There was this big hoopla about Wilson's relationship with Dr. Landy.  It was a big part of the book since the man essentially saved Brian's life.  There was also rumor that this book was actually written by Landy and he slapped Wilson's name on it.  That I doubt.  But, the Beach Boys hated this doctor even though he helped their cash cow save himself.  Personally, I didn't find the Dr. Landy thing in the book to be that big of a deal.  Yes, he was important but he wasn't THE story for me.

Cool book.  Very sad but at least it had an uplifting ending.

Stale Book Review #17: Riders On The Storm

Riders On The Storm by John Densmore

Cost: $3.00US

Page Count: 319

Riders On The Storm by the venerable drummer of the rock band The Doors was a refreshing read.  For once, a rock star didn't recount his inability to kick drugs and speak of his ever-so-public fall from fame.  Nope, this was a straight up biopic on the life of Densmore, his career with The Lizard King, and his frustrations in working with such an unstable human (Morrison).

The book is Densmore's account of the band and how frustrations grew within the band because of their troubled lead singer, Jim Morrison.  Unlike No One Gets Out of Here Alive, another book on The Doors, Riders On The Storm is full of flashbacks, flash-forwards, and the narrative is continuously interspersed with a long, heart-felt letter to Morrison.  The effect is kind of trippy and fun.  Sure, at times the overuse of these literary devices bogs the narrative down.  But, at least Densmore is trying something different than what is usually put forth in these music biographies.  Give him props for that.

Riders On The Storm was a great book for a weekend read.  As with most of the books within the genre, it helps if you are or were a fan of the band.  But, with this one...well, it's just pretty good.  So, I don't even feel like you need to be a fan of the band to get some enjoyment from the book.

Through Densmore, you really get a feel of what the other members of The Doors were like during that time period.  Here's kind of a run down of those personalities:

Densmore (Drums):  Fun, lively, creative, and always ready for a new challenge.

Krieger (Guitar):  Talented, quiet, reserved, yet still ambitious.

Manzarek (Keyboard):  Driven, reserved, talented, and exceptionally normal.

Morrison (Vocals):  Fucked-up and confused, genius lyricist.

A little more on Morrison.  Not too much, though, since so many books and articles have been written about the man.  Anyway, it struck me as how naive and "soft" Morrison came off during the early stages of his career.  It was hard for me to read about his decline in mental state and about his inability to separate Jim the performer from Jim the philosopher-dude.  You hate to see that sort of mental decline.  But, there is a fine line between genius and insanity.  A fine line, indeed.

Anyway, Densmore created himself a pretty decent little book.  No, it's not in the same literary vein as Flannery O'Connor or Hemingway, but, it's still pretty fucking good.

Check it out.

Stale Book Review #16: Nobody Likes You

Nobody Likes You by Marc Spitz

Cost: $0.75US

Page Count: 182

Well, we're back here at Stale Reviews.  It's been a long time and there has been some serious reading going on here around the household.  So, there will be a multitudinous splatter of reviews right off the jump.  Hope you are ready.

Nobody Likes You: Inside The Turbulent Life, Times, and Music of Green Day turned out to be a really short and really quick read.  As a fan of the band, it is sad for me to say that there is little in the way of new information revealed within the pages of this text.  The reason it is sad is that I was looking for new insights, something different, anything that would urge me to push forward in my research on the band.  Nope.  The book reads like rehashed Spin articles mixed with a few interviews with some of the folks from the Gilman St. scene.

The added interviews, with the likes of Tim Armstrong, Jessie Michaels of Op Ivy, and Fat Mike, were what kept this relatively uninteresting piece of "literature" moving.  As someone who grew up on this type of music, these were the guys in the punk scene who I looked up to.  Seeing their insights were the highlights of the book.

Thankfully, Spitz didn't go too far into the childhood activities of each of the members of Green Day.  Many biographers will go so far deep into the past of the artist that the text just completely loses interest for me.  Spitz didn't do that.  He gave just enough info and then moved on.

The book itself is lighthearted even if the author didn't mean it to be.  To me, it was the literary equivalent of a VH1 Behind the Music episode.  Quick, to the point...kind of senseless.

For less than a buck, though, this was one worth reading.  That is, if you are a fan of Green Day.  If you are not a fan and view Green Day as your father's or older brother's punk band, move along.  

Stale Music Review #6 - Grateful Dead

Eternally Grateful by The Grateful Dead

Cost: $2.95US

Song Count: 24 - 2 Discs

Admittedly, I have never been a huge fan of the Dead.  Mainly that's just because I don't really get them or their rabid fan base.  I understand being a fan.  But, to the level of the Deadheads...well, I just don't really understand.

So, to further my knowledge I went against all that I believe and bought what really amounts to a Greatest Hits album.  I bought Eternally Grateful for educational purposes only.  This here review will have a very long track list due to the double disc nature of the offering.  

A note about Jerry:  Garcia was a great musician and songwriter.  Deadheads have deified him just as guitarists worldwide have deified Hendrix.  While I appreciate the level of love heaped upon Jerry...once again, I just don't really understand.  Oh well, to each his/her own.

The songs on the disc were ok.  I'm no hippie...I'm more of a metal/punk guy...but, I understand what really great musicians these guys are/were.  The stand out tracks to me (a non-deadhead) are:  Friend of the Devil, Truckin', Scarlet Begonias, Touch of Grey, Sugar Magnolia, Uncle John's Band, Casey Jones, and Not Fade Away.  Forgive me if I am just listing the "hits" of the Dead.  But, to me, a "hit" is popular for one reason:  it's good.

Here's the track list and my non-weed-induced notes.  

Disc 1: In the Studio

1.  Friend of the Devil - This is a really good song.  Nicely done.

2.  Box of Rain

3.  Althea

4.  Eyes of the World

5.  Truckin' - A popular song.  But, a good one.  Really like the vocals on this track.

6.  Shakedown Street

7.  Cream Puff War

8.  Scarlet Begonias - I'm a heretic.  I like the version Sublime did much more than this one.

9.  Touch of Grey - Now this...this is a fucking fantastic tune.  Just never gets old.  Get it?

10.  Sugar Magnolia - Another standout.  "Left my baby down by the river..."

11.  Cold Rain and Snow

12.  China Cat Sunflower - Didn't Bruce Hornsby do a variation of this? (Sunflower Cat?)  Dunno.

13.  Uncle John's Band - Great harmonies on this one.  Proves the Dead really know their shit.

14.  Casey Jones - Drivin' that train...high on cocaine.  Mr. Jones, watch your speed.  A cautionary tale.

15.  Ripple

Disc 2: In Concert

1.  Jack Straw

2.  Bertha

3.  Me and My Uncle

4.  Cumberland Blues

5.  Me and Bobby McGee - Where's Janis?

6.  Brown-eyed Woman

7.  Morning Dew

8.  Johnny B. Goode

9.  Not Fade Away - The only real notes I will leave on the live disc (I don't dig live discs).  This is a great song and to not note this fact would be a crime against humanity.

That's the Grateful Dead.  Apparently, they were a sight to be held when playing live.  Disc 2 does not live up to the hype.  I guess you had to be there.

Note:  No, I did not take the brown acid.

Stale Book Review #1 - White Line Fever

White Line Fever by Lemmy Kilmister with Janiss Garza

Cost: $0.75US

Page Count: 306

Now, I'll read just about any book that cost less than a buck.  But, White Line Fever was a total bargain for seventy five cents.  For those of you who consider Justin Bieber an actual musician, Lemmy is the bass player/singer/kingpin of the metal band Motorhead.  Flat out, Lemmy is a fucking god in the metal community.  I believe the metal Mount Rushmore of metal singers would have Ozzy, James Hetfield, Rob Halford, and Lemmy.

For fuck sake, the dude's last name is Kilmister (Kill Mister.  Let Me Kill Mister.  Get it?)!

White Line Fever, however fun and easy to read, was a bit of a letdown.  Lemmy is a well-known speed-freak but the book downplays this fact, in total.  I expected a much wilder ride and much wilder stories from someone who has given society the middle finger for just about forever.  Sure, there are some wickedly funny stories involved but, in general, the whole tome just kind of fell flat.  Disappointing?  Sure.  A total waste of time?  No way.

For less than a buck I got to go inside the head of a metal god.  Sort of...