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 Book Review #50: Alice In Chains

Alice In Chains: The Untold Story by David De Sola

Cost: $4.00US

Page Count: 341 (with lots of footnotes and resources after)

A bit of history: When I was 16, my friends and I were totally psyched to learn that the completely awesome Van Halen was coming to the area supporting their album For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge. So, we piled into 3 or 4 cars and headed to the Orlando Arena (the O-Rena) for the show.  The lights came up for the opening act:  Alice In Chains.  We knew of the band...they had one album out, at the time (Facelift) and thought they would be super cool.  Letdown...they sucked.  Actually, the band was quite good, but the singer, Layne Staley, was obviously bombed out of his mind.  They finished up and a dozen or so people clapped.  At least Van Halen was awesome.

Listening back to the Alice in Chains catalog, you can really get a sense of the immense power and talent of Layne Staley.  While The Untold Story goes into the formation of the band, dynamics, etc...it's always abundantly clear that the crux of the story is on Layne.  To read about his start with the band, decline, and his eventual death were just heartbreaking. We all know the outcome of Layne Staley's life but it was the decline...damn...that was heart wrenching.

What was nice to read about was the jocularity and just how damned funny that the Alice in Chains guys really are.  This is a band that created some of the most somber (yet rocking) tunes on the '90's.  So, this was kind of cool to read.

Finally, enough can't be said about Jerry Cantrell.  He is the creative and driving force of that band, and always has been.  A true talent and, seemingly, stand-up guy.

Anyway, if you are a fan of Alice in Chains go ahead and give The Untold Story a read.  

Stale Book Review #49: Nine Inch Nails

Bobcat books presents the story of Nine Inch Nails by Tommy Udo

Cost: $0.75US

Page Count: 256

Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails deserved a much better book than the short unauthorized biography cobbled together by Tommy Udo.

Without question, Nine Inch Nails changed the musical landscape when they (he) released the album Pretty Hate Machine in 1989. Sure, bands like Skinny Puppy and Ministry were creating albums in the same vein around the same time.  However, Pretty Hate Machine took the gristle of those bands, polished them up, and made "industrial music" safe and palatable to the masses.

Over the years, Reznor has continued to churn out classic albums his own way and with a certain amount of musical integrity.  Basically, Trent Reznor has created a beast that is held in the highest regard of rock and roll.

The Story Of Nine Inch Nails fails to build up to this level.  Very little of the book is new or revelatory. If anyone has read articles (or even fucking Wikipedia) about the band, they would have a pretty firm grasp of what the band's history is or what they are all about.

It's no wonder this book is Unauthorized.  There's no way in hell that Reznor would sign on for this...basically a book version of Behind the Music.

One striking thing about this book:  Udo spends sooooo much time during the period of The Fragile. For the life of me, I cannot figure out why.  Maybe it's the author's favorite NIN album?  Maybe he wrote the book during the time of release of the album?  Fuck...I just don't know.  Couldn't figure it out during reading and still cannot now.

Anyway, in a nutshell:  If you are not aware of Nine Inch Nails AT ALL, then maybe this book will be good for you.  Because if you aren't familiar with the band then I'm sure it would be a fun read under the rock you currently live under.  However, if you are at least vaguely familiar with the band then it would be best to skip it.

Stale Book Review #48: Petty

Petty by Warren Zanes

Cost: $6.00US

Page Count: 337

I pretty much never hide the fact that Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers have been the soundtrack to my life.  Therefore, I do believe that they are one of America's greatest rock and roll bands.  Hall of famers, millions of records sold, millions of dollars made, and brilliant musicians on every single instrument. Doesn't hurt that all members are mostly from my home state of Florida.

Whenever something new is released about Tom Petty, I tried to read or view it.  At this point, I am not sure why.  There has been such a breadth of reporting on this man and his band that anything new written rarely reveals anything new.  That is really the reason I wanted to include this book in the Stale Reviews blog.  Warren Zanes, the author, has actually gotten Petty to open up about some things that I have not read before.  So, I have got to give the writer credit here.

ONE:  Zanes, somehow, got Tom Petty to open up about the period where he lived in a little shack and shut himself up from the world.  During this time, Tom was fighting with drug use...something in which I had not read about before.  Sure, Tom Petty has consistently talked about marijuana use throughout his career.  He's even discussed his dalliances with cocaine.  But, to my memory, Petty has never discussed his use of the harder stuff.  It was interesting and I am glad he was able to open up about it.

TWO:  Bugs.  Tom Petty's longtime roadie and confidant, Bugs, was finally given his credit and he also opened up in Petty.  Bugs has famously been against taking part in any interviews.  It was refreshing to read what a major player in Heartbreaker history had to say.

In all, I would say that Warren Zanes's Petty is a worthwhile read.  Of course, I am biased.

Pick it up...Tom Petty rocks.

Stale Book Review #47: The Paths We Choose

The Paths We Choose by Sully Erna

Cost: $0.75US

Page Count: 273

I really didn't have much in the way of expectations when digging into The Paths We Choose.  Sully Erna is the frontman in the rock band Godsmack.  Since I am not really a fan of the band, and really have only heard maybe three of their songs, this book wasn't high on my list to read.  But, I love a good rock biography and had a few hours to kill…so, I picked it up.  I am going to do this one in list form, as it just feels right.

Here are some things I learned:

1.  I had no idea that Sully was a drummer.  Just thought he was a singer.

2.  I had thought that Godsmack had just arrived on the rock scene out of nowhere.  Not so, my friend.  Sully and his boy did the whole grind…working shit jobs, kept on going, built a following…respect for the grind, dude.

3.  For some reason I thought these guys were from Jersey.  Nope, Boston, yo.

4.  Sully grew up poor and had to fight for everything.  It shows in the band.  Hardscrabble, hard-fought music…it's always been a struggle for Sully.

5.  The name Godsmack is NOT about heroin.  Look it up.  It's actually a funny story.

The Paths We Choose is a breezy, late afternoon, kind-of read.  If you dig a good music biography and decent coming up story, check this out.  Sully writes a book just a little bit differently than, say, Billy Idol.  There is no glamorization about the spoils of a hard fought fight…this book is all about the fight.  

Stale Book Review #46: Running With Monsters

Running With Monsters by Bob Forrest

Cost: $0.25US

Page Count: 230

I probably passed by Running With Monsters at least 20 times before picking it up and looking at the cover.  Bob Forrest isn't really a household name.  His former band, Thelonious Monster, was barely a household name back in their heyday…even though the band was pretty good.  Hell, I though this was just another memoir of another wannabe, former drug addict, etc…

Turns out, I was sorta right.

Here's the deal:  Forrest is a substance abuse counselor these days.  That is awesome and admirable.  I did work in the same field and it is both challenging and fucking difficult.  So, kudos Bob.

But, back in his drug using days, Bob was a hell-raisin' hang-on.  He was friends with the Chili Peppers, Gibby Haynes, Jonny Depp, River Phoenix, and on-and-on.  But, you know what?  Nobody gives a fuck who you hung out with, Bob.  I figure if they had crack or smack,  you would've hung out with them.  However, I felt that Forrest's relationships with a few of these characters was far more interesting than his actual story.  Sadly, the stories of the rich and famous WERE Bob's story.

The most interesting relationship Bob had with someone you would know would be that with John Frusciante.  Frusciante, if you were born under a rock, is the former virtuoso guitarist with the Red Hot Chili Peppers.  Not only does John have a prodigious ability with a guitar…he also has a prodigious appetite for drugs.  His life got real weird and real bad and Bob Forrest may have had a hand in saving his life.  That is very cool.

In fact, I think that Bob Forrest has had his fingerprints on the saving of many of lives..both famous and not.  I have the feeling that Bob would deny this fact, or at least downplay his role.

Anyway, I read this book in half a day.  You should, too.  There is just something about the story that hooked me…can't quite put my finger on it.  But, Running With Monsters has a quality that makes you want to read on.

In a lot of respects, Running With Monsters is a very typical Hollywood, musician, rags to riches to rags story.  But, in a lot of ways it's not.  Bob Forrest is a unique individual:  a little fucked up, a lot introspective, and, apparently, cares deeply about people.

Stale Book Review #42: 101 Proof

101 Proof:  The Inside Story of Pantera by Rex Brown

Cost: $4.00US

Page Count: 304

Can't you see? I'm easily bothered by persistence

One step from lashing out at you

You want in to get under my skin and call yourself a friend

I've got more friends like you, what do I do?

Walk - Pantera

It is under my estimation that Walk, by Pantera, is one of the top five metal songs ever written.  It's a classic.  So, during my weekly sojourn at the local used book shop I stumbled across the book written by Pantera bassist, Rex Brown.  I had to have this book.  Of course, I don't ever pay full price…so I had to wait until it hit the used shelves.  Bought it, I did.

Unlike many rock biographies, 101 Proof isn't a redemption story.  It's really just a story.  The tale of one man and his bandmates as they climbed from relative obscurity of the club scene of Dallas, Texas to the untold many millions of records sold.  

The story of Pantera has been told and retold hundreds of times.  So, if you want the Pantera backstory hit Wikipedia or the many myriad of Pantera fan sites scattered across the inter webs.

101 Proof was fairly well-written.  Rex and his co-author did a nice job of piecing together (cobbling together from drunken memories, I assume) the book.  Where some of the books of this ilk are a little roughshod (Zakk Wylde, I'm looking at you and your "book") this one had a good flow and the reader could definitely tell that Rex was withholding a lot of detail.

Which leads me to my problem with 101 Proof.  Rex Brown is hiding a lot.  Maybe it's out of respect for the fallen Dimebag Darrell (RIP) or maybe it's just because Rex seems like a private dude…I don't know why but it seems like Rex is keeping a lot of information back from his fans.  I respect that but I expected some dirt.  Oh well.  A little disappointing but not really surprising.

Being the empath that I am, I can see how writing this book would have been both cathartic AND agonizing for Rex.  So, much respect for even giving it a go.

101 Proof takes you from the dirty? Dallas club scene where Pantera cut their teeth to the many debaucheries of life on the road with the band.  I can imagine that the times on the road were 100x more insane than Rex lets on.  Rumor has it that these guys partied just as hard as they hit it on stage.  I just wanted some of these stories from an insider.

Pantera was a great metal band.  One of the best.  Rex Brown was a large part of that and is a fantastic player in his own right.  He was in the band with some HUGE personalities so a lot his dynamic can get overshadowed.  But, Rex can play.  Just listen.

101 Proof is a good read.  It is essential for Pantera fans.  But, if you are expecting story after drunken story about life on the road with the band…and there are some of those…you may be a little let down. A little.

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 #27: Not Dead & Not For Sale

Not Dead & Not For Sale by Scott Weiland

Cost: $3.00US

Page Count: 238

Not Dead & Not For Sale is a super-short read.  This is good because there really isn't a whole hell of a lot to this book.  I love rock books.  Seriously, I will post a picture of the shelves that line my walls that contain all the biographies of bands and artists.  I can't get enough.  So, when I saw Stone Temple Pilots/Velvet Revolver singer Scott Weiland's book for sale for a few bucks, I picked it up.  

I'm not sure about how I feel about this book.  Here are a few problems that I had with it:

1.  There was a noticeable lack of detail.  About anything.  Reading it seemed a lot like reading the itinerary for a professional conference.  I did this.  This happened.  This happened.  That's all.  Fuck, it got frustrating.  Tell me MORE, Scott!

2.  Weiland's relationship with Mary is complicated and convoluted.  Her book is the next installment on Stale Reviews.  But, Scott just glosses over it all.  Like it was not that important.

3.  I really enjoy reading about the creative process that is making music.  The interplay between musicians, bandmates.  Nada in this book.

4.  Weiland is a recovering hardcore drug addict.  The fact that he can recall any details at all is probably an amazing thing.  So...I try (TRY) not to be overly critical.  

But, despite these serious stylistic problems, I actually enjoyed reading this book.  Honestly, it was so devoid of any detail I got through the thing in about two hours.  Seriously.  And I'm not really a wicked-fast reader, either.  

In the end, Not Dead & Not For Sale left me feeling empty.  Was this intentional?  Is Scott Weiland some sort of mastermind in making the reader feel as he does most of the time?  If so...well, fucking spot on, dude.  If it wasn't intentional...well, fuck you Weiland.

Read this book if you want to.  If you are a big rock book doofus like me, you probably have already.  But, if you want a really good rock book read Motley Crue's The Dirt...fuck me that was a good read.

On a side note, I saw Stone Temple Pilots when they breezed through Tampa during the Purple Tour.  It was a memorable show becauseI got to see Mick Jones and Big Audio Dynamite and they were totally awesome.  Growing up, I loved the Clash so seeing Jones was a big ass thrill.  STP was really good, too.  In fact, they were WAY better than I expected them to be.  Just a killer set.

Mick Jones

That is all.

Stale Music Review #9 - Ozzy Osbourne

Blizzard of Ozz by Ozzy Osbourne

Cost: $0.92US

Song Count: 9

Back in the late 70's, the Prince of Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne, left (got fired) from the seminal metal band, Black Sabbath.  Well, Ozzy floundered a bit on what to do.  He initially started himself a solo band and tried to go it alone.  This fizzled.  Then Sharon, who was then Ozzy's girlfriend, introduced him to guitar virtuoso Randy Rhoads.  So, Ozzy put together another band for a solo effort and churned out the Blizzard of Ozz.

Back in my earlier musical years, this album was the fucking shit.  It's what my mother didn't want me to listen to.  It's what every TV preacher said was going to lead our nation's youth down a path of devil worship.  It's what the president wanted us to say NO to.  Well, I love this album and I do not worship Satan or do drugs (any more).  I'm normal.  I'm responsible.  Ozzy did not corrupt me.  He just led me to ROCK!

Bless Sharon for bringing Ozzy back from the brink and helping him kick start his solo career.  If not for her, the Prince of Darkness would have been found dead in a Chelsea gutter in the early 80's.  So, thank you Sharon!

Here goes the track list and notes.

1.  I Don't Know

2.  Crazy Train - This is probably the song that Ozzy is most known for.  Thirty plus years later and it is still on heavy rotation on rock and classic rock stations.  It's an awesome tune and the listener really gets to experience how good Rhoads actually was on this track.

3.  Goodbye to Romance

4.  Dee

5.  Suicide Solution - Ok.  Ozzy got a LOT of flack for this track.  The US government just had to intervene and said that this song was responsible for kids offing themselves.  Bullshit.  I'm not a big fan of the song but I respect the fact that it has the right to exist on a record.  If a kid is going to kill him/herself, then Suicide Solution will not push them over the edge.  But, it was a big deal back in the day.

6.  Mr. Crowley - This is my favorite song on the album.  I seriously could listen to it fifty times in a row and never grow tired of the song.  Just a super-well-done tune.  

7.  No Bone Movies

8.  Revelation (Mother Earth) - Like this track a bunch, too.  

9.  Steal Away (The Night)

Finding this disc in the super-scratched bin really brightened my day.  I only had Blizzard of Ozz on tape back when I was a heavy listener.  That tape has been both rendered obsolete by current technology and lost.  

Remember tapes?  Do ya?  Waiting with your finger poised above the "record" button just waiting for your song to come on?  Then getting a DJ talking over the first thirty seconds of "Hot For Teacher"...fucking DJ's.  But, I digress.

Stale Music Review #7 - Jane's Addiction

Kettle Whistle by Jane's Addiction

Cost: $0.92US

Song Count: 15

When I used to live on Cape Cod, I almost got the Kettle Whistle disc about a million times at Newbury Comics. But, the price was always just a little high for me.  So, lo and behold, when I see the disc laying in the way-used bin at the local place...well, I just couldn't pass it up.

Going back to my days in middle school, I've always enjoyed the music of Jane's Addiction.  They had that metal twinge that I so love, thanks to the heavy-handed guitar mastery of Dave Navarro.  On a slightly related note, Navarro has at least one solo record out that I have listened to...it's awful.  Sorry Dave.  Anyway, I enjoyed Jane's because they rocked hard but they also had a weirdness that I could embrace without it being too off-putting.  I attribute that solely to the king of weird himself: Perry Farrell.  On another tangent, Porno For Pyros was actually a really good band.  Just a little stranger than Jane's.

Well, Kettle Whistle is chock full of live tracks, demo's, out-takes, and new recordings (4, actually).  The "new" tracks are just ok.  The demo's are interesting.  But, the live tracks...well, the live tracks are worth the price of admission, here.  Jane Says, which is their signature tune, shines.  It's just magic, really.  Three Days, Ain't No Right, and Whores, are all strong in their own right.  The live tracks are recorded well.  Which is good.  Nothing pisses me off more than shoddy live recordings.  Jane's Addiction gets it right with Kettle Whistle.  

I could almost hear the half naked whores dancing on stage.

Here goes the track list and my moderate notes.

1.  Kettle Whistle

2.  Ocean Size - I love this song.  It really sounds big on Nothing's Shocking.  Sounds pretty decent here, too.

3.  My Cat's Name Is Maceo - Meh.

4.  Had a Dad - Great song.  Great out-take.  Very nice.

5.  So What!

6.  Jane Says - Wow.  Great sounding in this live take.  Awesome song and extremely well performed.  And Jane is also done with Sergio, which is good news.

7.  Mountain Song - Like this tune, too.

8.  Slow Divers

9.  Three Days - This tune sounds like a page from Perry's journal.  Good stuff.

10.  Ain't No Right - A fun rocker.  Just a little strange, but what can you expect?

11.  Up The Beach

12.  Stop - A standout from Ritual de lo Habitual.  Sounds great live, too.

13.  Been Caught Stealing - Jane's showing their sense of humor.  Like it.

14.  Whores - Never been a huge fan of the song.  However, now I have changed my mind.

15.  City

I don't care what people say, but I believe Jane's Addiction is the band that typifies and represents LA the best.  Sorry Chili Peppers.  Sorry Motley.  Sorry CSN&Y.  Sorry all the rest.  Jane's are Los Angeles, pure and simple.  Kettle Whistle is a great album.  Pick it up, sir (or madam), and you will not be disappointed in the least.

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 Music Review #5 - Slaughter

Stick It To Ya by Slaughter

Cost: $0.92US

Song Count: 15

OK.  Slaughter.  What can I say about Slaughter?  When I was 13, I just loved the Stick It To Ya album.  Why?  I do not know.  I guess it was just a product of me being a mini-metalhead and trying to listen to every single "metal" album from that era.  Stick It To Ya (for some fucking reason) was part of my "listening" experiment.  So, for less than a buck, I found the album one more time.  I think I wasted a dollar.

There will be no notes on the track list, this time.  It's not worth the effort.  Actually, the only songs that ever carried any sort of commercial weight were Up All Night and Fly To The Angels.  Up All Night, if I remember correctly, was a single.  It fucking sucks.  Loved it in '90...holy crap, that song did not age well.  However, Fly To The Angels...well, it's actually ok.  Not that I would put the song on my stereo on purpose.  But, I wouldn't change it if the song magically appeared, either.

So, my little foray down memory lane did not end well.  Stick It To Ya has aged poorly.  My burgeoning musical tastes back in the late '80's may have included a little Slaughter.  But, I have since listened to very good music and...well, Stick It To Ya sucks big balls.  Sorry Slaughter-guys.  

Track List Lite - All the songs, zero the comments...

1.  Eye to Eye

2.  Burnin' Bridges

3.  Up All Night

4.  Spend My Life

5.  Thinking Of June

6.  She Wants More

7.  Fly To The Angels

8.  Mad About You

9.  That's Not Enough

10.  You Are The One

11.  Gave Me Your Heart

12.  Desperately

13.  Loaded Gun

14.  Fly To The Angels - Acoustic Version

15.  Wingin' It

- Insert fart noise here - 

Stale Music Review #3 - Foo Fighters

Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace by Foo Fighters

Cost: $0.92US

Song Count: 12

Yeah, I know this particular album has been reviewed a gazillion times.  Trust me, I looked it up.  Since I only had a pirated copy of this Foo's album, I saw it in the "very scratched" bin (not one issue playing it) I bought it for the princely sum listed above.  To have and hold, to listen to, and to...lose.  I lost it for a long bit.  But, it has since been found between the seats of my car and has found it's way back inside the house.  To be reviewed.  For Stale Reviews.

Let me first get this out of the way:  I am a total Foo Fighters geek.  Love the fuckers.  They can do no wrong, in my star-crossed eyes.  With that out of the way...let's talk about Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace.  To me, and I've heard all the FF albums, this is where Dave Grohl and Company really hit their creative stride.  While it may not be my favorite Foo Fighters record (that would be their newer offering, Wasting Light...just, wow), I have a profound respect for what the disc offers. 

There are a couple of surprises on the album.  For instance, amid all the ripping guitar work and pounding rhythms there is a softer side to the Foo Fighters that, on past albums, has always peeked it's head out but never fully emerged.  Unless you count the "lighter" disc of In Your Honor.  Crap...that was an entire  disc.  My argument is rendered invalid by my actually remembering something.  Anyway, Stranger Things Have Happened and The Ballad... are different in terms of what the band normally does.  And it works.  It's an awesome disc.  For real, yo.

I'm gonna stop gushing and give the track list and review.  This might be a little longer than normal, but, fuck off...let me be a fanboy.

1.  The Pretender - Actually, I didn't really like the song too much when this was released.  It grew on me.  Like a fungus.  Like a tasty, tasty fungus.  Love the song now.

2.  Let It Die -  A beast of a song.  Great playing by T. Hawkins.

3.  Erase/Replace - A supertune.  Can't gush enough about this one.

4.  Long Road To Ruin - It feels like a "statement song".  It probably is but it's one of the best out there.

5.  Come Alive - Great tune..."You saved meeee...when you came alive!"

6.  Stranger Things Have Happened - Strangely enough, this is my favorite track on the album.  Something about the way the click track (metronome) fits into the music...very cool vibe.

7.  Cheer Up, Boys

8.  Summer's End

9.  Ballad of The Beaconsfield Miners - Wasn't this tune written about some people?  Can't remember.

10.  Statues

11.  But, Honestly

12.  Home - Another superb Foo Fighters song.  Very well done and perfect as the disc closer.

That's it.  That's the Foo Fighters' Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace in all it's glory.  Shall I blaspheme a second?  The Foo Fighters are actually a better band than Grohl's more "influential" band.  Discuss.

Stale Music Review #2 - Jackyl

Jackyl by Jackyl

Cost: $0.92US

Song Count: 11

Say what you want.  Go ahead and judge.  But, Jackyl, at least on their first eponymous album, were totally legit.  Looking back, Jackyl might have been one of the cheesiest bands ever, sure.  However, at the time of the release of Jackyl, these guys were pretty friggin' popular.  

First of all, this album is actually pretty good.  For those that don't really remember what they put out, Jackyl had a string of radio hits like I Stand Alone, Down On Me, and When Will It Rain.  They put out some hard nosed, take no shit, rock and roll.  For that, I respect them.  I will still listen to When Will It Rain on my car stereo at absurd decibels.  Plain and simple, it's a good song.  The musicianship, while certainly not to the level of, say, Queen, is decent for a little redneck rock band.

Interesting note...Jackyl are in the Guiness Book of World Records for playing 100 concerts in 50 days.  That's some serious grinding on the road.

So, go ahead and judge the fellas in Jackyl for doing the lumberjack thing.  Yeah, it was a little bit corny.  But, hell, everyone has a little something in their past that's a bit embarrassing.  For me, it was the mullet.  Yeah, I had a mullet.  Fuck you.

Anyway, here's the track listing and my notes.

1.  I Stand Alone -  This is a really good track.  It just sounds like early '90's rock.

2.  Dirty Little Mind

3.  Down On Me - I feel the sun shiiiiininng...Down on Me.  Good tune.

4.  When Will It Rain - The best song on the album.  This was on the radio ALL THE DAMN TIME.

5.  Redneck Punk

6.  The Lumberjack - The lamest of lame songs.  Fucker plays a chainsaw like an instrument.  It's awful.

7.  Reach For Me

8.  Back Off Brother

9.  Brain Drain - For some reason, I kind of like this tune.

10.  Just Like A Devil

11.  She Loves My Cock - A jokey-type band?  Sadly, yes...

Overall, this is a fairly good album from back in my days of working at the zoo.  Yes, I was a bitch worker at the zoo.  Anyway, I played this album a bunch back then (actually it was a dubbed tape) in my car...in hundred degree Florida heat...in bumper to bumper traffic...with no A/C.  It was hell, but Jackyl kept me going.

Stale Book Review #4 - Black Tooth Grin

Black Tooth Grin: The High Life, Good Times, And Tragic End of "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott

by Zac Crain

Cost: $0.75US

Page Count: 301 - Including Index

Another musical biography?  Hell yes...

Black Tooth Grin was a great book.  It read fast, the characters were authentic and hilarious, and the story was tragic.  "Dimebag" Darrell was the lead guitarist for the seminal metal band, Pantera.  Back in the '90s, Pantera was one of the hardest and toughest of all musical acts.  Much of the band rested on the prodigious talent of "Dimebag".  Dime, as his friends and legions of fans called him, was quite the virtuoso on the guitar and there are still, to this day, little metalheads trying to get their sound just like Dime's.

The Black Tooth Grin (which was a drink invented by Abbott) story starts as brothers Darrell and Vincent grew up to become half of a metal franchise.  Sure, there's more to the story than that, but for the sake of space... Anyway, Black Tooth Grin gives the in's and out's of Pantera, touring, recording, and daily lives of the players involved.  The best part of the book, however, is Dime himself.  I'm not sure if it was just the writer's slant but, Dimebag just seemed to be a normal, hard partying, down to earth dude.  Someone you might want to hang out with at a bar at four in the morning.  Or maybe not.  Dime could get crazy.

The end of the story is one that is well documented.  After the breakup of Pantera, Dimebag and Vinnie had a new band, Damageplan, that were starting to get some real attention.  Basically, the fellas had to start over.  Anyway, at a stop on tour (in Columbus, Ohio) a mentally disturbed nutbag walks into the show and onto the stage and blows Dimebag away (along with other's deaths and injuries to many).  Very fucked up.  Right in front of the audience.  It's horrific and really hard for me to imagine or even think about and I didn't know the guy.

Great book.  Great read.  Very well done, sir.

One last thing.  Pantera singer Phil Anselmo comes off as a real twat in this book.  Hopefully, he's not really that much of an asshole.