Yes! Let us celebrate these fancy pirates. I am certain if more people would run this look on the street today that the world would be a better place. But it takes real men to wear makeup, puffy shirts, and curtains for pants. And there just aren’t that many left.
Calling all available backup! Jeff? Kilwag? I know you’re out there. Cover me. I’m going in. This is a great record. That’s despite the frequently self-referential lyrics. The music on Prince Charming (1981) is as fresh and weird as the costumes worn by Adam and the Ants. The album opens with the giant-sounding “Scorpios,” complete with brass horns and a house-shaking drum fill near the end that makes me want to yell “Ant Power!” It sounds like the Hawaii 5-0 theme meets salsa music meets pirate rock. Other favorites include “Picasso Visita el Planeta de los Simios” and of course the super hit “Stand and Deliver.” There is also a “hidden” track, after a long pause at the end of the album, called “The Lost Hawaiians.”
I don’t know where I got this one, but you can see from the wear on the cover that back in the day it was in heavy rotation. Ant music for ant people!
Etched in the run off margins (can’t etch an MP3):
Side 1: HAVE YOU FOUND
Side 2: THE LOST HAWAIIANS
Wikipedia article
- Artist: Adam and the Ants
- Title: Kings of the Wild Frontier
- Year: 1980
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 8
- Owner: Tracy / Mary - two copies
- Acquired: 1980? After I met Jeff Arthur.
- Keeper: Yes
I know some folks like to make fun of Adam and the Ants. Considering that their popularity was relatively short-lived, their use of not-of-this-time-appearing costumes, and the annoying frequency with which they sing about themselves or their Ant nation, that is understandable. But this is still interesting music. Most, maybe all, of these songs are just too strange to sound dated. The double drummer set up, tribal chanting vocals, and spaghetti western guitar riffs all make for something that is as original as it is pop. My favorite song is “Killer in the Home”, about the plight of Native Americans. I blame Jeff Arthur for getting me into this.
More info about Adam and the Ants’ Kings of the Wild Frontier.
- Artist: Barry Adamson
- Title: Moss Side Story
- Year: 1989
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 8
- Owner: Tracy
- Acquired: 1989 - Bought it at our store RIP Records in Norfolk, VA
- Keeper: Yes
Moss Side Story is a film score by Barry Adamson for a three act murder mystery that doesn’t exist. Most people that have this album seem to really love it. I really love most of it, but I have to tell you that the opening cut “On The Wrong Side Of Relaxation” really gets on my nerves. Which, based on the title, seems appropriate. I played Moss Side a number of times over the last week and most of the time I put the needle down on the right side of that song. He has also done music for real movies as well as performing on many albums with Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds.
More about Barry Adamson at Wikipedia and BarryAdamson.com.
- Artist: AC/DC
- Title: Back in Black
- Year: 1980
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 10
- Owner: Tracy
- Acquired: I really don’t know…
- Keeper: Yes
Even I’m Heavy Duty! needs a vacation occasionally, but we’re starting back with a winner: AC/DC’s Back in Black. Most folks probably think this one is their best record, but to me it’s a close second to Highway to Hell.
Between the all black album cover and Brian Johnson’s over-the-top lyrics if I didn’t know this was AC/DC I’d be tempted to think this record was a Spinal Tap tribute. Except that the music is infinitely better and Spinal Tap didn’t come out until four years later. My friend Gary’s favorite Spinal Tap moment is the lyric “Let me cut your cake with my knife.” Pretty hard to beat that one.
Back in Black would rate a 10 in my book just for the title track alone, but it also contains the classics “Hells Bells” and “You Shook Me All Night Long.” Some other favorites of mine are “Have a Drink on Me” and the corny-titled, but hard rocking album closer “Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution.”
- Artist: AC/DC
- Title: Highway to Hell
- Year: 1979
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 10
- Owner: Tracy
- Acquired: Used somewhere, not sure when
- Keeper: Yes
Despite what you fans of the Brian Johnson-era think, you know who you are, Highway to Hell was the peak for AC/DC. It’s unfortunate that it was also the end of the Bon Scott-era, and Bon Scott the man. But what a way to go out! The album opens with the title track and a classic bare bones Angus Young riff, followed by one of the greatest kick drum sounds ever recorded. “Highway to Hell” goes on for two verses with nothing but one guitar, drums and vocals. That simple sound is so rocking though, and what’s better is that you know they are holding back until the chorus. After that one ends and you’re looking for your socks they kick into the more frantic “Girls Got Rhythm.” There are some other hits and plenty of great songs on the rest of the album. One of my favorites is the side two opener, “Shot Down in Flames.” Another great one is “Touch Too Much.” It contains these amusing lyrics:
She had the face of an angel
Smiling with sin
A body of Venus with arms
Who knows if Bon Scott was trying to be funny with that? Either way, it’s hilarious.
- Artist: a-ha
- Title: The Sun Always Shines on T.V.
- Year: 1985
- Format: Vinyl 7 in.
- Rating (1-10): 5
- Owner: Mary
- Acquired: No information available
- Keeper: No
“It’s not bad, it’s just not super.” That’s from the owner herself, and I think it sums it up. I’m no a-ha historian, but I don’t think “The Sun Always Shines on T.V.” was even a hit. The flipside is “Driftwood.” Either one ring any bells?
- Artist: AC/DC
- Title: Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
- Year: 1976
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 7
- Owner: Tracy
- Acquired: ? Bought it used, a long time ago.
- Keeper: Yes
It’s tragic. My Bon Scott era AC/DC collection is incomplete. And I like the early stuff the best. Brian Johnson is fine, but the early sound was much more garage rock, punk rock, and traditional rock and roll. “Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap” is full of silly songs that you never need to hear more than once, but there are also some classics. My favorite is definitely “Problem Child.” Of course, the title track is also excellent, and so are “Ain’t No Fun Waiting Round to be a Millionaire” and “Ride On.”
- Artist: Arctic Monkeys
- Title: Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not
- Year: 2006
- Format: CD
- Rating (1-10): 10
- Owner: Mary
- Acquired: May 2006
- Keeper: Yes
Amazon recommended this CD for me, but they also recommended Hilary Duff once. I didn’t buy Hilary’s CD but I did buy the Artic Monkeys and I’m so glad I did.
The tittle of this CD, for me, was reason enough to purchase it.”Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not” is a clue to the band’s attitude and keen observations. The lyrics are brillant. (There are a few explicit lyrics, but the singer’s accent is so thick my kids havn’t noticed them yet). How do people write like that? I’m amazed when song writers can tell a story, to music, (I know that’s obvious, but still impressive) that is witty, smart, down to earth, and makes you want to sing along.
The music is familar, yet not like any band out there. Maybe a little Franz Ferdinand, but tougher. Maybe a little Kaiser Chiefs, but more substantial. They also remind me of Sham 69, and the Ruts. I never get the feeling these guys are trying to be, or sound like something they aren’t.
The track Mardy Bum is what I hear, not often enough, on XM. It’s a slower song and it’s good but the entire CD is packed with great songs: “When the Sun Goes Down”, “Red Light Indicates Doors Are Secured”, and “The View From the Afternoon.” A little something for everyone. Check out their web site to view some videos off this CD at ArcticMonkeys.com.
- Artist: ABC
- Title: Alphabet City
- Year: 1987
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 8
- Owner: Mary
- Acquired: 1987 - Bought it when she worked at Plan 9 Records in Richmond, VA.
- Keeper: Yes
When I first started playing this record, “Alphabet City”, the other day for the log I thought it was a little dull by ABC standards. But now the hooks are in me, and I’ve definitely enjoyed it. My favorite song is “The Night You Murdered Love.”
I think this might be the last ABC record we have to play. So, it’s high time I included a link to this article about the band at Wikipedia.
- Artist: ABC
- Title: How To Be A Zillionaire 12 inch
- Year: 1984
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 8
- Owner: Mary
- Acquired: ?
- Keeper: Yes
Another 12 inch single, “How To Be A Zillionaire”, from the album of the same name. But I think this came out before the album. This record includes the original plus two solid remixes. I dig it.
I`ve seen the future, I can`t afford it
Tell me the truth sir, someone just bought it
