Danzig - Danzig, 1988

Listen. If you don't know who Glenn Danzig is, then get off my freakin' blog. For those of you in the know, THIS ALBUM FREAKIN' RULES!! This actually harkens back to the classic Misfits stuff Glenn put out all those years ago, but it grew up, got smart, and started kicking real ass. Just like the man himself. (I was told a story once by a friend about meeting Mr. Danzig. My friend said he was the nicest guy in the world, pleased to speak to a fan. That's class, suckers!) He put out more stuff, a couple pretty decent arias, and will get to live on in history as one bad ass singer/songwriter. He was for real, and so is his music. Dig that! (Although, I must admit. I docked a metal hand for "She Rides." Especially the video. Glenn, dude, you went too far with that one. New Jersey Rules!)

Spoon - A Series of Sneaks, 1998

Elektra dropped the ball with this one. Since its rerelease on Merge, sales have blow away original estimates. And, why? Because it's the BEST record of the nineties that no one ever heard of... Buy this record, and thank Britt Daniel yourself.

Smart Went Crazy - Con Art, 1997

This album is a masterpiece from the now defunct Smart Went Crazy. Chad Clark went on to form Beauty Pill, but that is another album, and another post. Con Art was their final album, and it goes out with a bang. The final song, Now We're Even, is 20 plus minutes of ambient sound. And, after such a mind blowing record, it's really very pleasant. But I don't want to gush.

This kick-ass record came out on DISCHORD, and is still available. Download it, especially if you like Beauty Pill. Download it anyway, even if you don't.

Judas Priest - Unleashed in the East, 1979

I'm usually not a fan of live albums or Judas Priest, but this album rocks. In Japan, so I've read, it's considered rude to make any noise while the artist is playing, so this recording lacks any of the extraneous crowd noise that often ruins most live recordings. But this is Priest at their very best. They're young and ready rock, and Rob Halford is really at his screaming best. If you have to listen to a live album, and you must listen to Judas Priest, you couldn't do much better than this record.

Rye Wolves - Oceans of Delicate Rain, 2008

I saw this band for the first time about three weeks ago, and they literally knocked my socks off (they being extremely loud. Think the volume of the Melvins). But what impressed me, was their stage presence and ability to keep an audience in thrall. Now, this says I'm reviewing Oceans of Delicate Rain, but really I'm talking about the band, themselves. Three of the most calm and kick back guys you'd ever want to meet, they put all their aggression and angst, ennui and anomie in the music, and keep their lives as clean and bullshit free as possible. The space they practice and put on shows, EpicSpace, has a sign out front that reads "Hate Free Zone." And you have to believe it. They welcome everyone, and at the end of the day, help everyone pick up all the socks (they've gotten used to it by now). Anyway, check out the wolves on myspace, and I think you'll agree. THEY FREAKIN' ROCK!

Five out of five horns, G!

Ah, the fine folks at Rhino...

My friend, Smerek, lent me Rhino's Gang of Four Retro... How do I love thee, Rhino...

http://www.rhino.com/

Go there, now, if you know what's cool for you.