Friday, September 28, 2012

You Shook Me All Night Long by AC/DC

This is the last post for love/hate week at The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll. My last selection is an interesting pick because the love portion is for me, while the hate portion is for my wife. The song of the day for September 28, 2012 is 'You Shook Me All Night Long' by AC/DC, which is featured on their 1980 album, Back in Black.

I am a fan of AC/DC while my wife hates them with a passion. The song she hates the most from AC/DC is 'You Shook Me All Night Long', and it is in the top three of her all-time most hated songs. Why does she hate this song? She told me that it was the anthem of all the lowlife idiots in the town where she grew up, so I understand her hatred.

While she hates the song, I'll say that I like it, but it's not my favorite AC/DC song. 'You Shook Me All Night Long' is a classic cut from Back in Black, the first album with lead-singer Brian Johnson who replaced Bon Scott. Bon Scott era AC/DC is what I like best, and if you're wondering, my favorite AC/DC song is 'It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock and Roll)'.

The first time I heard 'You Shook Me All Night Long' was in 1986 when Johnny Pleather brought the Who Made Who cassette to the Catholic school we attended. Pleather also carried around his boom box during lunch, so he'd get the Catholic kids a rockin'. Years later, I went out for drinks with a group of people after a wedding, and I ended up having too much to drink. After I awhile, I began to sober up and realized I was in some sort of biker bar. This bad cover band was cranking out 'You Shook Me All Night Long' and at the front of the stage were these super rough looking redneck chicks in tight leather pants. They were losing their minds while singing this song, so I understand why my wife hates this song.


Thursday, September 27, 2012

100 Percent by Sonic Youth

This is love/hate week at the Lost Soul of Rock and Roll. I've been selecting songs from bands that I have a love/hate relationship with in my wonderful rock and roll universe. The song of the day for September 27, 2012 is '100%' by Sonic Youth. '100%' was released in 1992 and is a track on their album, Dirty.

I either love a Sonic Youth song or I hate it to the point where I want to smash a stereo system or break a CD in half. It does sound a bit extreme, but that's the reason why I've never purchased a Sonic Youth album. If you're wondering, I do have a Sonic Youth CD single for 'Sugar Kane' in my collection, but it was a gift from a friend. The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll has a great deal of respect for the band, however Sonic Youth is something I can enjoy in very small doses once every six months. Enjoy.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Subdivisions by Rush

This is love/hate week at The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll. I'm selecting songs from artists that I love and I hate at the same time. Complicated rock and roll relationships. The song of the day for September 26, 2012 is 'Subdivisions' by Rush. This song was released in 1982 and is featured on the album, Signals.

KNEEL BEFORE YOUR GODS, NERDS!

They say the Velvet Underground spawned a thousand indie rock bands. I say that Rush spawned a gazillion IT professionals and engineers. How did these guys become the band of nerds?

I like Rush, so don't look at me as a hater. They have some good songs, and 'Subdivisions' is an excellent example for my love/hate week. Why? I love the song, but hate the fact that some fans view this song as the ultimate example of intellectual rock. Rush has some rockers to their name, they are very good musicians as well, but I've never viewed this band as the smartest guys in the rock room. Do you agree or disagree? Share your comments in the comments section below.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

What It Takes by Aerosmith

This is love/hate week at the Lost Soul of Rock and Roll where I select songs from artists that I have a love/hate relationship with in my rock and roll universe. The song of the day for September 25, 2012 is 'What It Takes' by Aerosmith. 'What it Takes' was a top ten hit for the band in 1990 and was the last track on their album, Pump.

I selected 'What It Takes' by Aerosmith because Pump was the last album by Aerosmith that I loved. I have hated every album by Aerosmith since then and for some of you, there is no difference between 'good' Aerosmith and 'bad' Aerosmith. I'm an Aerosmith fan, but I'll switch the radio station when I hear songs like 'Crazy', 'Cryin', 'Jaded', and the horrific 'Don't Want To Miss A Thing'. Pump was the last album where I saw Aerosmith as a great rock band, while everything released after Pump sounded like a band desperately clinging to fame while pumping out mindless material.

Aerosmith was one of my favorite bands in high school and they were my first rock concert. I saw them in Columbus, Ohio during the Pump tour of 1990, and they rocked Cooper Stadium. My wife and I saw Aerosmith in concert in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 2002, and they did a pretty good job that night. They blew the roof off the sucka when they opened with 'Toys in the Attic', but it seemed to me that after awhile another band took the stage and started playing songs like 'Pink' and 'Livin' on the Edge'. It was a true love/hate night for The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll. They did play 'What it Takes' and it was a really good performance. I don't know how you feel about Aerosmith but enjoy today's song.   

Monday, September 24, 2012

High 'n' Dry (Saturday Night) by Def Leppard

This is love/hate week at The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll where I select songs from artists I have a love/hate relationship with in my musical universe. The song of the day for September 24, 2012 is 'High 'n' Dry (Saturday Night)' by Def Leppard. This song was released in 1981 on their album High 'n' Dry.

My wife and I have the same musical tastes,but there are some artists I love that she hates and vice versa. We thought it would be fun to have a love/hate week at The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll. I know she'll get a kick out of the fact that I selected Def Leppard because I had a moment of rage during a car trip when my wife played a Def Leppard greatest hits CD.

I'm cool with Def Leppard on High 'n' Dry and Pyromania, but Hysteria was the beginning of the end, and that solidified my love/hate relationship with Def Leppard. While songs like 'High 'n' Dry (Saturday Night)', 'Bringin' on the Heartbreak', 'Switch 625', and 'Photograph' are songs I love, I must say that I HATE 'Lets Get Rocked'. I feel ill thinking about that song. It was 'Let's Get Rocked' that made me snap during a road trip with my wife. It's just the way Joe Elliott sings, "Do ya wanna get rocked?" Yuck. Anyway, treat yourself to some good Def Leppard. Enjoy.


Friday, September 21, 2012

The Abbey Road Medley by The Beatles

This is the end of the one-two punch week at The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll where I select the best back-to-back songs in the history of rock and roll. I've decided to bend the rules today and select the Beatles Abbey Road medley of 'You Never Give Me Your Money', 'Sun King', 'Mean Mr. Mustard', 'Polythene Pam', 'She Came in Through the Bathroom Window', 'Golden Slumbers', 'Carry That Weight', and 'The End' as the song of the day for September 21, 2012.

I love Abbey Road. 'Here Comes the Sun' is my favorite track, but that Abbey Road medley is pretty damn cool. It is something of a rock and roll blasphemy to play the medley as individual tracks and not as one song. I remember reading a post from a guy I knew from a Guided by Voices mailing list who worked tirelessly to make the Abbey Road medley one song on his iPod. That's dedication to The Beatles, folks.

I was a casual fan of the The Beatles during the late 1980s, but I really didn't appreciate their music until 1992 - 1993. My high school years were 1988 - 1992 and there were some Beatles fans at my school that seemed to have a fanatical view of their music, which rubbed me the wrong way. After I graduated from high school, I hung out with some "chill" Beatles fans, and they changed my view for the better. Enjoy. 

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Waitin' for the Bus/Jesus Just Left Chicago by ZZ Top

This is the one-two punch week at The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll where I select rock songs that must be played back-to-back. The song of the day for September 20, 2012 is 'Waitin' for the Bus/Jesus Just left Chicago' by ZZ Top, a great blues one-two punch from the 1973 album Tres Hombres.

John Mayer fans need to taken a listen to ZZ Top because this is how you play the blues. Yes, I just pulled out my Haters Club Card, but it had to be stated for the record. ZZ Top's 'Watin' for the Bus/Jesus Just Left Chicago' is a good one-two punch about the woes of public transportation and the journeys of the Son of God or some bad-ass blues player named Jesus. Take a listen and enjoy. 

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Auditorium/Motor Away by Guided by Voices

This week is the one-two punch week at The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll. Every day this week I will select a great one-two combo where two songs have become one in the world of rock and roll. The song of the day for September 19, 2012 is 'Auditorium/Motor Away', which is featured on Guided by Voices' 1995 album Alien Lanes.

Guided by Voices, a fine rock and roll band from Dayton, Ohio, came out of nowhere in 1994 with the lo-fi Beatles inspired rocker, Bee Thousand, and then they followed up with another lo-fi masterpiece, Alien Lanes. Guided by Voices fans have and will debate which album is better, and they only thing then can agree on is the fact that both Alien Lanes and Bee Thousand are great.

'Auditorium/Motor Away' is one of a few great one-two punches from Guided by Voices. For example, Bee Thousand has 'Yours to Keep/Echos Myron' and Under The Bushes Under the Stars has 'Bright Paper Werewolves/Lord of Overstock'. However, when Guided by Voices plays 'Motor Away' live, they have usually done a one-two punch with 'The King and Caroline' instead of 'Auditorium'. While I have always enjoyed the 'King and Caroline/Motor Away' live medley, I don't recall a time when they played 'Auditorium/Motor Away'. I've decided to embed a clip of the 'Auditorium/Motor Away' video featuring future Guided by Voices member, Nate Farley, and Dayton, Ohio O-Matic rockers Scott and Michelle Bodine. The second clip is GBV's first television appearance on The Jon Stewart Show, which aired on MTV during the mid-1990s. Enjoy.



Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Heartbreaker/Living Loving Maid (She's Just A Woman) by Led Zeppelin

This week at the Lost Soul of Rock and Roll, I am selecting some of my favorite one-two punches. In the world of rock music, there are some tunes that are meant to be heard back-to-back and not as separate songs. The song of the day for September 18, 2012 is 'Heartbreaker/Living Loving Maid (She's Just A Woman)' which is featured on the 1969 album Led Zeppelin II.

From 1988 to 1992 I was a major Led Zeppelin fan. I still love the band, but there was a time when I all I listened to was Led Zeppelin. It might have been 1986 or 1987 when I first heard Zeppelin. This kid that was in my seventh grade class had a shoebox full of cassettes and he said it would be cool if I borrowed some of his music. The shoebox was filled with bands that I had never heard of like Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, and the Sex Pistols. I borrowed Dark Side of the Moon by Floyd and IV by Zeppelin and both of those albums kick-started my love of classic rock.

It was sad returning those tapes to my friend, but I had been working some odd jobs and had enough cash to buy my own Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd tapes. One of my odd jobs was being the scoreboard operator for basketball and volleyball games played by elementary school students. These were fourth and fifth grade boys and girls starting off their illustrious careers as athletes. I worked the scoreboard of a girls basketball game and the final score was 2 - 0. I kid you not. I earned my money to buy a Led Zeppelin tape that day.

My Zeppelin and Floyd collection grew during my high school years when I had moved up the corporate ladder from scoreboard operator to busboy to dishwasher to waiter. Led Zeppelin II was the third Zeppelin album I purchased and it is top three for me in my all time favorite Zeppelin albums. 'Heartbreaker/Living Loving Maid (She's Just A Woman)' is an all-out one-two rock punch. Enjoy.  

Monday, September 17, 2012

This Beat Goes On/Switchin' to Glide by The Kings

This is one-two week at the Lost Soul of Rock and Roll. This week I will choose songs that are a required one-two punch in rock and roll. For example, you have to listen to 'We Will Rock You/We Are the Champions' by Queen in a one-two manner because listening to one and not the other is just wrong. The song of the day for September 17, 2012 is 'This Beat Goes On/Switchin' to Glide', a 1980 rock hit by The Kings.

This is not the most recognizable one-two rock and roll song, but it is a shame that this does not get any kind of airplay on classic rock radio. I live in the Midwest, and we are nuts about classic rock radio. I first heard this song four or five years ago on an 80s compilation CD I purchased from Target. The reason I purchased the CD was because it had 'The Breakup Song (They Don't Write 'Em)' by The Greg Kihn Band and 'Ah! Leah!' by Donnie Iris. Both songs were needed for my collection, and the CD was priced nicely. I had never heard 'This Beat Goes On/Switchin' to Glide' from the Canadian rock band, The Kings, but I was pleasantly surprised on my first listen. Check it out and enjoy!

Friday, September 14, 2012

Blinded by the Light by Manfred Mann's Earth Band

Covers week ends today and the song of the day for Friday, September 14, 2012 is 'Blinded by the Light', a 1976 #1 hit by Manfred Mann's Earth Band. The original artist for 'Blinded by the Light' was Bruce Springsteen who released it on his 1973 debut album Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.

Manfred Mann is not the lead singer for this song, but he is the dude playing keyboards. I thought you should know that, so you can learn something important today. I've always been a fan of this version, and I do admit that I like this version better than Bruce's. Hold your horses, Springsteen fans. I like Bruce's music, but his original version of 'Blinded by the Light' is too slow and dull for me. Want to debate which one is better? Use the comment section below to share your two cents, but enjoy the song.


Thursday, September 13, 2012

September Gurls by The Bangles

Covers week at The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll is coming to an end, but the song of the day for September 13, 2012 is The Bangles super cool cover of 'September Gurls'.

'September Gurls' was originally recorded by Big Star in 1973 and was featured on their 1974 album Radio City. Big Star was one of those bands that recorded really good music, but for some frustrating reason they never achieved major mainstream success. Many bands were influenced by their sound, and The Bangles covered 'September Gurls' on their 1986 album Different Light.  

When my wife and I were first dating, she put in a Bangles CD while we were on a car trip, and I heard the intro to 'September Gurls'. I had no idea The Bangles covered Big Star, and I was very impressed. The Bangles were a really good band and I hope you enjoy today's selection.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

If I Had A Hammer by The Neighborhoods

This week is covers week at The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll. I am going to share some well-known and some overlooked covers. The song of the day for September 12, 2012 is 'If I Had A Hammer' by The Neighborhoods, a cover on their 1984 album Fire is Coming.

'If I Had A Hammer' was written in 1949 by Pete Seeger and Lee Hays. This might be one of the top  protest songs of all time. Peter, Paul, and Mary had the most successful cover of this song, but I decided to share a rockin' version by the Boston trio, The Neighborhoods.

Shame on you for not knowing The Neighborhoods. They started off with a punk influence in the late 1970s and by the late 1980s and early 1990s they had progressed into a pretty slick rock band. The 'Hoods, their Boston area nickname, didn't gain much mainstream attention outside of their hometown, which in my opinion is pretty sad.

My first exposure to The Neighborhoods was on a Rhino 70s Boston punk CD. 'No Place Like Home' caught my attention because it was a Ramones inspired anthem about finding solace in music while you are bombarded with nonsense from your parents and teachers. I tried to find their music at a local store, but I had no luck. I asked my friends on a Guided by Voices mailing list if they knew anything about The Neighborhoods, and a music expert, Clem Lane, told me that he would send me a mix tape of their tunes. Clem was kind enough to record Fire is Coming and The High Hard One. I still have that mix tape and I've played the hell out of it because The 'Hoods were an incredible band. I hope you enjoy this cover of 'If I Had A Hammer'.   

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Do You Love Me? by Johnny Thunders and The Heartbreakers

This week, The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll is selecting fantastic covers. The song of the day for September 11, 2012 is Johnny Thunders and The Heartbreakers cover of 'Do You Love Me?', which was released in 1977 on their album L.A.M.F.

'Do You Love Me?' was written by Berry Gordy, Jr., the founder of Motown, and the song was a major hit in 1962 for The Contours. Johnny Thunders and The Heartbreakers absolutely take this song to a wonderful New York City '77 punk place, and deliver a memorable cover despite the poor mixing. If think you're punk and you don't know who Johnny Thunders is, then you better retire from the scene because the guy was a legend. Thunders rocked with the New York Dolls and as a solo artist.

I first discovered this song twelve years ago when I found a 45 of 'Do You Love Me' b/w 'One Track Mind' at Flipside Records in Kalamazoo, Michigan. At the time, I didn't have a record player, so the vinyl sat in my closet for about a year. When I started dating the beautiful gal who would become my wife, she informed me that she had an old record player, and I was very happy. One day, I placed the vinyl on the record player and was blown away. I hope you love this cover as well. Enjoy!

Monday, September 10, 2012

The House of the Rising Sun by The Animals

This week is covers week at The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll, so I am selecting some well-known and some not-so-well-known covers for you to enjoy. The song of the day for September 10, 2012 is 'The House of the Rising Sun' by The Animals.

The British Invasion gave us some memorable music, and sadly it gave us a bunch of garbage. The Animals cover of 'The House of the Rising Sun', which was released in 1964, is truly one of the most memorable hits from the British Invasion. This haunting and soulful rendition features the howling vocals of Eric Burdon, which places this song among the best rock and roll hits of all time. For those of you seeking some Monday morning trivia, then please note that the bass player, Chas Chandler, would later gain additional fame as the manager of The Jimi Hendrix Experience and Slade. 

What is interesting about 'The House of the Rising Sun' is that this traditional ballad remains a mystery to music historians. The author is unknown, but Alan Lomax, a folk curator for the Library of Congress, first heard this song in Kentucky in the late 1930s when he met a man named Tilman Cadle. The song would later be covered by the likes of Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and Bob Dylan. Enjoy.


Friday, September 7, 2012

Rock and Roll Fantasy by The Kinks

The week of deep cuts has come to an end, and my last pick is 'Rock and Roll Fantasy' by The Kinks. 'Rock and Roll Fantasy' was released in 1978 on the Misfits album.

The Kinks are one of those artists that I really like, I know nearly all of their songs, but I only own one of their CDs. The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, David Bowie, and Pink Floyd are also in that category. My local libraries have an impressive collection of CDs, so I'm *ahem* frugal that way.

'Rock and Roll Fantasy' is one of my favorites from The Kinks. The song is about those that escape reality via music. I've been guilty of that in my lifetime, and I know there is a difference between using music to help during rough times and using music to completely shut yourself off from the world. Enjoy.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Awkward Age by Joe Jackson

This week, The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll is selecting deep cuts from various artists. Today, I've selected a deep cut from one of my favorite artists, Joe Jackson. My deep cut song of the day for Thursday, September 6, 2012 is Joe Jackson's 'Awkward Age', which was released in 2003, and is on the album Volume 4.

Joe Jackson really knows how to craft a fine pop song. He's a great writer and composer, and if you do not know his material then you are truly missing out on some wonderful music. I first heard 'Awkward Age' on 2004 his live album, Afterlife, which I highly recommend for Joe's faithful followers. 'Awkward Age' is about surviving the teen years only to discover that the cliques still exist, and yes, there are still the cool parties where you are not invited. The only version I could find was from a live TV performance in Holland, but Joe and the band give a great performance. Enjoy.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

King of Birds by REM

This week, The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll is selecting deep cuts from various artists. The deep cut status will be debated among fans of certain artists, but deep cuts to dedicated fans and deep cuts to the average fan are at times very different. The song of the day for September 5, 2012 is 'King of Birds' by REM, which is featured on their 1987 album, Document.

Document is REM's finest hour. In my opinion it is flawless, and it is one of my favorite albums of all time. Document was REM's exit from college radio darling status and served as an introduction to mainstream rock stardom. I was hooked by 'The One I Love' in 1987, and asked for Document for my birthday. This was very exciting for my Uncle Gus who was a huge REM fan. He tried, bless his soul, to get me hooked on REM from 1985 to 1986, but I resisted his attempts to have me listen to Lifes Rich Pageant. He gladly bought me a copy of Document on cassette, and it was a rock and roll kick to the head for me when I turned fourteen. I played the hell out of that cassette and still own it to this very day. If anyone needs a gateway music drug for REM then I always suggest they try some Document. They'll be hooked.

The REM fans might be wondering why I didn't choose the ode to Communist fear mongering, 'Exhuming McCarthy', or the rockin' protest song, 'Disturbance at the Heron House'. 'King of Birds' stands out as a beautiful and haunting song about something. The something has yet to be determined in my brain, but this blog entry does shed some interesting light on the song's meaning. Anyway, enjoy the song.  

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Back On The Road Again by REO Speedwagon

This week, The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll is selecting deep cuts from my favorite artists. Deep cuts are overlooked gems that sadly do no always see the light of day when it comes to radio play, plus they are usually those songs that do not make it on the greatest hits CDs. The song of the day for September 4, 2012 is 'Back On The Road Again', a 1979 rocker by REO Speedwagon.

'Back On The Road Again' is the only song I like by REO Speedwagon.'Roll With The Changes', 'Keep On Lovin' You', and 'Take It On The Run' are awful, just awful because they are one light rock step away from being Air Supply. 'Roll With The Changes', 'Keep On Lovin' You', and 'Take It On The Run' are so wimpy in sound and lyrics that it makes me angry. 'Back On The Road Again' isn't wimpy, it's hefty-hefty-hefty rock. Did you see what I just did with that previous sentence. You liked it.

REO Speedwagon fans might disagree with me that 'Back On The Road Again' is a deep cut because it is featured on The Hits,but I give this one deep cut status because the average rock fan is not familiar with this song. Trust me on this one, folks. The dreaded threesome of  'Roll With The Changes', 'Keep On Lovin' You', and 'Take It On The Run' get plenty of airplay on classic rock and mix radio, and I can remember maybe one time I heard 'Back On The Road Again' on the radio. Hit play and crank this song. Enjoy.


Monday, September 3, 2012

Do You Love Me by Kiss

This week, I am selecting songs that are considered deep cuts from my favorite artists. The Lost Soul of Rock and Roll understands that some these selections will not be considered deep cuts by the fans of these artists, but we sometimes forget that the majority of music fans out there only know the 'greatest hits'. Our song of the day for September 3, 2012 is 'Do You Love Me' by Kiss, the last track on their 1976 album, Destroyer.

Destroyer is the first album I owned, which was given to me circa 1979 as an 8-track from this hippie couple that lived across the street from my house. I will admit that I like Kiss, but am not a member of the Kiss Army. While I enjoy their tunes, I do view their material as rock and roll junk food. Sometimes you are not interested in an apple or banana, and you decide to grab some Twinkies. You can't live on Twinkies alone, but I'm doing my best to avoid some embarrassing sentence that reads, "And sometimes you have to put Kiss' Twinkies in your mouth'.

Do I think Destroyer is a good album? I like it because it is a solid rock album with the right dose of pop that still gives the album something of an edge. Kiss fans were really split on Destroyer because it was viewed as a sellout release. Let's be honest people, Kiss' albums before Destroyer were not on the same rock level as anything released by The Who, Zeppelin, or Sabbath. If I were to get someone to like Kiss then the mixtape, uh mix CD, I would create would include 'Do You Love Me', a cool glam rock track. Enjoy.