- Artist: Pere Ubu
- Title: The Tenement Year
- Year: 1988
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 6
- Owner: Tracy
- Acquired: 1988 – At our store RIP Records in Norfolk, VA
I respect this record, and this band, more than I enjoy the music. I’ve already told my story about seeing them live in London, and it was a great experience. That said, though Pere Ubu has created a lot of interesting music over the years, I guess it’s just not my thing. The Tenement Year has some great songs, but it also has some challenging sounds and noises layered in that I often find distracting, off-putting even.
- Artist: Pere Ubu
- Title: Terminal Tower – An Archival Collection
- Year: 1985
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 7
- Owner: Tracy
- Acquired: 1985 – When I worked at Mother’s Records in Hampton, VA.
I’m not cool enough, or maybe just not old enough, to have bought Pere Ubu’s early records when they came out, but I did get “Terminal Tower – An Archival Collection” when I was 19 or so. They make some pretty interesting music that’s not easy to describe, but someone at Wikipedia did a good job with this article about the band.
I saw them live at the Town & Country Club in London way back in 1987, or maybe ’86. The opening acts were Ut, followed by The Mekons. For the most part, it seemed like a Mekons crowd. That said, Pere Ubu put on a great, but abbreviated show that most people seemed to enjoy.
Unfortunately, some folks expressed their gratitude by throwing crap on the stage or even at the musicians. At one point Pere Ubu singer David Thomas made it clear that if there was any further silliness that they would walk off the stage. Sure enough, some bonehead had to throw something and Mr. Thomas immediately walked off in a huff. I can’t say I blame him. The rest of the band tried to carry on for a bit but it was clear he wasn’t coming back. The other band members eventually walked off too, looking rather frustrated. I’m not sure if Thomas, the crowd, or both were the source of that frustration.
Various -- No Age - A Compilation of SST Instrumental Music
- Artist: Various
- Title: No Age – A Compilation of SST Instrumental Music
- Year: 1987
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 6
- Owner: Tracy
- Acquired: 1987 – Bought it when I worked at Mother’s Records in Hampton, VA.
- Keeper: Maybe
This SST compilation of challenging instrumental music is full of big names, cult names, and just names. Check out the list below and decide for yourself which artists belong in which categories. I have records by many of these folks and I’ve also seen a number of them live. I don’t know if I’ll ever play this double album again. Some tracks were fantastic, but some were just annoying post-prog-rock-for-nerds. Again, decide for yourself who belongs where.
- Black Flag
- Blind Idiot God
- Henry Kaiser
- Elliott Sharp
- Lee Ranaldo
- Lawndale
- Glenn Phillips
- Pell Mell
- Paper Bag
- Scott Colby
- Lawndale
- Paper Bag
- Universal Congress Of
- Steve Fisk
- Gone
- Alter-Natives
- Elliott Sharp
- Fred Frith & Henry Kaiser
Steve Vai -- Passion And Warfare
- Artist: Steve Vai
- Title: Passion And Warfare
- Year: 1990
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 6
- Owner: Tracy
- Acquired: 1990 – Bought it for myself at our store RIP Records in Norfolk, VA.
- Keeper: Yes
This isn’t the only Steve Vai record I own, but for some reason it’s the only one I can find. Hmm.
I love being witness greatness, and Vai is certainly a tremendous guitarist. Like most guitar hero albums this isn’t the kind of record you want to play often. The songs serve as vehicles for the guitar showmanship. Unless you’re a guitar hero or wannabe yourself, music is more enjoyable when the solos serve the songs.
That said, Steve Vai’s work is much more about the music than just the intense solos than, say, Joe Satriani. It’s also a lot weirder.
U-Men -- Step On A Bug
- Artist: U-Men
- Title: Step On A Bug
- Year: 1989
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 6
- Owner: Tracy
- Acquired: 1989 – Bought it for myself at our store RIP Records.
- Keeper: Yes
Fans of Birthday Party will love this, though the band was part of the Seattle scene through most of the 1980s. I first heard them on the “famous” C/Z record label compilation which also included tracks from Soundgarden and others.
Birthday Party may be a lazy comparison, but I think it’s accurate. There are, of course, differences, but it’s hard not to think of Nick Cave when you hear the frenetic, strained vocals on this record. I believe this was their only proper, full length album.
