kusandra's Wish List

Added on 06/07/06

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Added on 06/07/06

Having already come close to beating Graham Parker, Elvis Costello, and Louis Jordan at their own games, Joe Jackson made a play for becoming the Cole Porter of his generation with this 1982 collection. Actually that's a bit of a cheap shot,... See more

Having already come close to beating Graham Parker, Elvis Costello, and Louis Jordan at their own games, Joe Jackson made a play for becoming the Cole Porter of his generation with this 1982 collection. Actually that's a bit of a cheap shot, especially considering what a refreshingly innovative album this was. Jackson truly hit his stride with a memorable set that combines new technology and classic songwriting. From the infectious &quot;Chinatown&quot; to the hits &quot;Stepping Out&quot; and &quot;Breaking Us in Two,&quot; the album is a showcase for killer hooks wrapped up in shiny keyboards and Latin-tinged percussion. Small wonder that Jackson waited two decades to attempt a sequel. <i>--Bill Forman</i> See less

Added on 06/07/06

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Added on 06/07/06

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Added on 06/07/06

Holy countercultural confluence! For the cause of fundraising for the defense of a trio of legally bound Arkansas headbangers--one of whom is currently on death row on the basis of hearsay testimony--Henry Rollins has resurrected the sacrosanct songs... See more

Holy countercultural confluence! For the cause of fundraising for the defense of a trio of legally bound Arkansas headbangers--one of whom is currently on death row on the basis of hearsay testimony--Henry Rollins has resurrected the sacrosanct songs of his legendary former Los Angeles hardcore band Black Flag. Much as he first joined the popular Flag by jumping on stage and grabbing the microphone, Rollins here assigns lead vocals to a bewildering array of guests, including Iggy Pop, Dean Ween, Corey Taylor of Slipknot, Tom Araya of Slayer, Queens of the Stone Age, and Ice T. The Rollins Band convincingly serves as caustic backing band throughout. Protest music godfather Chuck D. of Public Enemy appears as well, though simply to introduce the album. Many of the singers, whether inspired by the cause itself or the muscular caliber of Black Flag's music, deliver the rebellious message with heartfelt intensity. Motorhead leader Lemmy's ripping version of &quot;Thirsty and Miserable&quot;... See less

Added on 06/07/06

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Added on 06/07/06

Despite a promising 1990 bow, John Doe's solo career has taken a back seat to his fanning the dying embers of his landmark L.A. punk-era band, X, along with his fitful stabs at an acting career. After veering from his country-rooted debut to the... See more

Despite a promising 1990 bow, John Doe's solo career has taken a back seat to his fanning the dying embers of his landmark L.A. punk-era band, X, along with his fitful stabs at an acting career. After veering from his country-rooted debut to the harder-edged <i>Kissingsohard</i>, Doe now returns to explore the fruitful singer-songwriter incarnation that surfaced on 2000's <i>Freedom Is...</i>. Though studded with strangely muted star duets (Juliana Hatfield on &quot;Closet of Dreams&quot; and &quot;Still You&quot;; Aimee Mann on &quot;This Far&quot;; &quot;Forever for You&quot; with Jane Wiedlin; Jakob Dylan on &quot;Magic&quot;), Doe's songs shine brightest when he clears away the murky contemporary production touches and simply lets his voice and guitar cut to the heart of the matter. &quot;7 Holes,&quot; &quot;Faraway (from the North County),&quot; and &quot;Still You&quot; showcase a warm, lilting voice and melodic sense that recall nothing less than early Gordon Lightfoot. Doe... See less

Added on 06/07/06

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Added on 06/07/06

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Added on 06/07/06

X exploded out of Los Angeles' legendary club The Masque in the late '70s, the epicenter of the city's thriving punk underground. X also ultimately proved to be one of the most influential American rock bands of their time. Fronted by Exene Cervenka... See more

X exploded out of Los Angeles' legendary club The Masque in the late '70s, the epicenter of the city's thriving punk underground. X also ultimately proved to be one of the most influential American rock bands of their time. Fronted by Exene Cervenka and John Doe-who co-wrote their material-and anchored by Billy Zoom and D.J. Bonebrake, X reinvented punk with their literate and volatile sound. The band's inspired individuality, however, obeyed no genre boundaries and fused rockabilly, country, metal, roots rock, and more into the mix. Their landmark 1980 debut, Los Angeles, kicked off an extraordinary career that?s spotlighted in this essential retrospective. See less

Added on 06/07/06

Though a small handful of its 13 songs predate <i>Los Angeles</i>, X's second album represents a giant leap forward for the band. <i>Wild Gift</i> stands as one of the 1980s' most fully realized rock &amp; roll LPs. John Doe and Exene Cervenka bring... See more

Though a small handful of its 13 songs predate <i>Los Angeles</i>, X's second album represents a giant leap forward for the band. <i>Wild Gift</i> stands as one of the 1980s' most fully realized rock &amp; roll LPs. John Doe and Exene Cervenka bring altogether more personal and biting lyrics to the mic, making for riveting, curiosity-promoting performances. (&quot;If I wrote a song like 'White Girl,'&quot; Doe tells critic Kristine McKenna in this remaster's liner notes, &quot;there was an unspoken pact that this may happen, but I love you more.&quot;) From the metallic riff of &quot;It's Who You Know&quot; to the surf-wise lines of &quot;In This House That I Call Home,&quot; guitarist Billy Zoom is given freer rein, while drummer D.J. Bonebrake fuses the Ramones and Beefheart to enduring effect on &quot;We're Desperate&quot; (improved from an early single version by a slight lyric change). And &quot;Back 2 the Base&quot; and &quot;Year 1&quot; stand out as two of the most complex... See less