Emotional Listening #40

Buffalo Tom - Buffalo Tom (SST, 1988)
I stumbled upon a used copy of Buffalo Tom's 1988 self-titled debut LP at a record store in Toledo this past fall, and I figured it was finally time to spend some time with it. Bravender tells me that 1992's Let Me Come Over and 1993's Big Red Letter Day are THE ONES, but,I felt obligated to start here since I actually own it on vinyl. This is not a mind-blowing debut by any means. It sounds like a mix of Husker Du's poppier moments and Dinosaur Jr. (which is convenient, as J. Mascus produced this) minus the noodly guitar solos and melodies that aren't quite as good. I was sort of bored by this at first, but, after a few times through, I've really come around to it. "Sunflower Suit" is a fantastic opener, and the album chugs along at such a pace that pretty much every-other-song is totally great. This album couldn't end in a better way than the "Flashing Stars," "Walk Away" and "Reason Why" combination.
Top jams: "Sunflower Suit," "Impossible," "In the Attic," "Flashing Stars," "Walk Away," "Reason Why"




Japanese Whispers - The Cure (Sire, 1983)
While Japanese Whispers is a short collection of singles and B-sides, it really follows like a proper studio LP. The Cure were in an interesting place in 1983, somewhere between their jangly, guitar-driven post-punk beginnings and the orchestral, shoegaze/new wave marriage that is 1989's Disintegration. The songs on Japanese Whispers are full of fake drums, awesome sounding synths, and Robert Smith's usual melodrama combined with his penchant for dark, goth-y pop hooks. "The Lovecats" has always been a favorite Cure song of mine thanks to the more expansive 1986 singles collection, Staring at the Sea.  However, "The Upstairs Room" has really come out of the woodwork as a new all-time favorite. I'm really liking "Let's Go to Bed" a lot more now than ever before, too. Japanese Whispers is almost on par with The Head on the Door, for me.
Top jams: "Let's Go to Bed," "Just One Kiss," "The Upstairs Room," "Speak My Language," "The Lovecats"




Me and Mr. Ray - Miracle Legion (Rough Trade, 1989)
I realize that Me and Mr. Ray probably isn't the Miracle Legion record to begin with, but, oh well. In case you didn't know, Miracle Legion is Mark Mulcahy's pre-Polaris (band from The Adventures of Pete & Pete) project. They released four full-length albums from 1987 to 1996. Me and Mr. Ray is the second, and it is a sparse affair, consisting mostly of jangly acoustic guitars, light drumming and Mulcahy's terrific voice. The album opens up awesomely with the one-two-three punch of "The Ladies From Town," "And Then?," and "Old & New." The middle and end aren't nearly as memorable, but "You're the One Lee" and "Even Better" are nice little peaks to contrast with those valleys. "Even Better" is especially great.
Top jams: "The Ladies From Town," "And Then?," "Old & New," "Sailors and Animals," "You're the One Lee," "Even Better"




If It Weren't for Venetian Blinds, It Would be Curtains for Us All - Piebald (Big Wheel Recreation, 1999)
Oh, Piebald. Why has it been that not until now I am giving their 1999 LP, If It Weren't for Venetian Blinds, It Would be Curtains for Us All, its due attention? I've been very much interested in this band since high school, and have spent plenty of time with their 2002 album, We Are the Only Friends We Have. Also, Bravender put "Location is Everything" on a fall mix for me quite a few years back, and that's been either my favorite or second favorite Piebald song since (along with "American Hearts"). Anyway, Rise Records gave both of these albums plus the one prior, When Life Hands You Lemons, the deluxe package vinyl reissue treatment in 2010, and I purchased that for a mere $30 and haven't looked back. I have finally been putting the appropriate amount of focus on If It Weren't for Venetian Blinds... because, let's face it: It's the best Piebald album. There are certainly elements of emo and pop punk here, but, overall, they sound like no one else. I have always been a fan of guitar harmonies, and their are quite a few instances here (most prominently in "Rules for Mules" and "Location is Everything"). There is plenty of pop sensibility on If It Weren't for Venetian Blinds..., but, you won't hear your traditional pop song structure. Thankfully, Piebald is more complicated and demanding than that, and Travis Sheffel's funny, clever lyrics are icing on the cake. If you're looking for the best moments, there are too many to detail further in this already lengthy blurb, so, just reference the "Top Jams" section. Every single one of those songs is worthwhile.
Top jams: "Grace Kelly With Wings," "We Believe in Karma," "Mess With the Blues," "Dirty Harry and the Thunderbolts," "Rules for Mules," "Giddy Like a Schoolgirl," "If Marcus Garvy Dies, Then Marcus Garvy Lives," "Location is Everything"