U2 - Achtung Baby! - 1991

 So, when this album came out, I didn't know what to think.  This was not the same U2 I had grown up with.  But, when the fans divided into two camps, I was in the camp that was more than happy to embrace their new sound.  There's honestly nothing that I can add to the discussion about the album as it's all been said.  But, as you can see, I became a seeker of the unknown, obscure and rare recordings from these sessions.

In this set, I've kept the original album, added the b-sides, included some of the unreleased tracks from the sessions, and picked the best of the jam sessions.  In my complete collection, I have hours of drum tracks, and take after take after take of the album tracks.  It's a bore listening to all of it, so I only saved the best.

Although they were created roughly about the same time, I've chosen to keep the Zooropa tracks as their own separate album.  I also haven't included any tracks from the "Baby" album, which I think is best kept separate as well.  It gets redundant if I tried mixing that "album" in as well.

Lastly, I put the remixes as their own disc on Disc Four.  So, essentially, the album is three discs long, plus the remix disc.  If you want the Baby Achtung Baby, you'll have to get it from Pirate Bay.  Or maybe later I'll post it.

Hope you enjoy this.  But I can guarantee one thing.  U2 is like pancakes.  At the beginning, they're fabulous.  But, by the time you finish, you're fucking sick of them.

Have a great Fourth!

 

U2 - Achtung Baby - Disc One

U2 - Achtung Baby - Disc Two 

U2 - Achtung Baby - Disc Three 

U2 - Achtung Baby - Disc Four 

Fourth of July in the United States....

Before I start my next post, I just want you all to know that my family and I will be gone until Tuesday celebrating the Fourth of July with my parents and my siblings and their families.  We hope to have a great time remembering the founding and birth of our great nation.  Eating food, laughing together, watching the fireworks and taking that solemn moment to remember that we are only free because we fought for it and our ancestors blood was spilled so I could live and say and do as I wish.

Now, this isn't a political blog, and I won't allow it to become one.  But, I have to say that I am a Social Libertarian/Fiscal Conservative/Pro-Life Originalist.  Some find it hard to believe because of my taste in art and movies and music, but yes, I'm that type of guy.  I am NOT a Republican.  I have no use for those spineless, lying turds who only say what we want to hear so they can get back to their cushy lifestyles in DC while the rest of us work our fingers to the bone, only to pay more and more taxes, and see more of our freedoms stripped from us - and no one says a word.

I blame it on the education system, the overwhelmingly biased media, and football.  People in our country are more concerned with who won "The Voice" last night than they are about the fact that the Democratic candidate for president is under investigation by the FBI for breaking the Espionage Act, failing to secure classified secrets in a government-approved facility or move them to a non-secure facility outside the government’s control.  This is a misdemeanor, punishable by a hefty fine and a year in jail.  But, nothing will come of it.  The political elite live above the law, and punish us if we don't live by it.

Don't even get me started on the Donald.  One picture is enough to know the guy is a joke.  How he has gotten this far is beyond me.  But, the Republicans in Washington are no better.  Lying cowards, all of them.

So here are our choices.  Two turds - one with corn and one without.  Which one would you like?

Again, as the cartoon above shows, I blame it on the cush American life, a shitty education system, and nefarious motives by the powers that be.

"We're still fucking peasants as far as I can see..." - John Lennon

So, remember this weekend what we as Americans really stand for.  No country is perfect, and America is far from it.  But, our form of government and society as intended is still the best out there.  We need to take pride in what we have, regardless of the stains on our past, because we have worked hard, and are still working hard to make it right for everyone.  And as long as we can remain free and keep the overwhelming forces of governmental tyranny at bay, we will eventually be able to clean those stains, learn from our mistakes, and take pride in who we are as Americans.

Have a great Fourth!

Royksopp - The Remix Project

Along with AIR, I find Royksopp to be one of the most innovative and creative artists out there.  Especially when they're the remixers.  They can set the tone, or change the tone of a song with precision and artistry.  Who else can mix the likes of Lady Gaga to the Kitchens of Convenience to Beck to the Streets and back to Lady Gaga again, and still retain their style?  Royksopp can.

I really don't have much else to say, other than it was a blast to collect.  I honestly think (and I'm no rap fan) that the Roots Manuva track is the best of the set.  And, I didn't mind listening to Lady Gaga, either.

It's a good set for a fabulous group. 

Royksopp - The Remix Project - Disc One

Royksopp - The Remix Project - Disc Two

Secession - A Dark Enchantment - 1988

I mean, I'm just going to be openly honest here.  I've downloaded a lot of music, and I've downloaded a lot of music I've never listened to, nor have I even heard of.  I had a request for Secession, and on a whim, saw that I had quite a lot of their material. Once I researched it, I had everything from this album - singles, b-sides and all.  But, guess what.  I'd never heard them before.  I've barely heard OF them.  But, the descriptions that the bloggers gave in their posts said "Hey!  Listen to this stuff!  It's Great!!!"  So, I downloaded it, I have it, I compiled it, and now it's yours.

Don't think this is a common place thing.  I just happened to have the stuff, and even then I've been debating on posting it. I'm not always big on special requests.  I take suggestions and whatnot, but I'm not planning on becoming a wishlist site so you can grab and go.  You have to stay and read my meanderings as well.

So, here's to!  Grab it while it's hot!  If its good, more power to ya!

Secession - A Dark Enchantment - 1988

PS - I am going to be out of town for the holiday weekend, and won't be posting anything on Saturday, Sunday or Monday.  So, that being said, tomorrow night is going to be a VERY SPECIAL POST with some stuff you're going to want to have.  So, come back and don't miss it!

Big Pig - Bonk - 1988

The summer before I moved away from Chicago, I spent listening to the likes of Big Pig, INXS and Midnight Oil.  The Australian wave of rock in 1988.  Despite the fact that the only big hit off this album wasn't even written by them, Big Pig put out a great album with some impressive tracks.

I posted a want list from this group about a month ago, and I have to say that most of the "Gold" disc is from that awesome contributor.  The Year of the Pig track is interesting, as the unreleased songs that are on it are actually rough demos and you can hear the producers coaching the singer on one of the tracks.  Very cool.

I have most of the mixes here.  There are still a few missing tracks, though.  If you find one that I've missed, please post a link in the comments below.........

Big Pig - Bonk - 1988 - Disc One

Big Pig - Bonk - 1988 - Disc Two 

Lush - Split - 1994

The second full-length album by the band, and the best one of the bunch.  I was in college and being indoctrinated by the hippie liberal pigs that passed as professors.  My wife, who was then my girlfriend, had been dating for about a year and a half, and we were constantly immersed in music, as if that was the only reason for living.  Well, almost the only reason, I was also addicted to comic books at the time, so if I wasn't at a record store, it was a comic store. 

So, one day, I'm standing in Cosmic Comics, my store of choice at the time, and I'm browsing the new release section, listening to this album.  I had turned it off while I was there, as I had been chatting with the counter clerk about comics.  This guy comes in as I'm off down the racks, and starts chatting with the clerk as well.  He brings up this album about it's high points and low points and that when he gets the money he was going to buy it.  Mind you, he had about 30.00 worth of comics in his hand, but not enough money to go down and purchase the CD.  I walk over and asked what he was talking about, and he mentions this album.  I pull out my CD Walkman and ask him "You mean this album?"  Instantly he was my best friend.  We chatted and chatted, and he eventually got around to asking if he could borrow the disc to listen to and tape.  Hesitantly, I said yes.  I have problems saying no to people, and I am too trustworthy.  He promised he'd only have it for a day or two, and that he would return it to the comic store and I could pick it up from the clerk.  I thought, what's the harm?

That was the last time I ever saw that CD.  4 months later, I had to repurchase the disc, and I never saw that guy or my disc in the comic store ever again.  The clerk said he had seen the guy a couple times since, but never mentioned the disc let alone return it to him.  That was the last time I ever loaned a CD to anyone.  Ever.

Now, I sit here and hand out music freely, which I am in no position to do.  I sorta feel like a hypocrite.  Pun intended.

Lush - Split - 1994

Erasure - Wild - 1989

I posted Wild a month or so ago, so if you'd like to read what I think about it, click the Erasure label on the side of this blog.

These are my favorite remixes from Wild!  I loved the artwork of all the singles, and used the Supernature logo for the cover.  I did a lot of tinkering with the filters on Photoshop, and I think I really did the logo justice by adding some dimension to the letters.

I loved the remixes from this album.  You had Mark Saunders and William Orbit, two of my favorite mixers.  Also, some great mixes from Daniel Miller and Gareth Jones as well.  What I love about these mixes, is that they released some really great versions of b-sides as well as album tracks.  Most artists out there only remix the title track of their singles, so I take that as a bonus.

No fan mixes, though.  I can't find any that are worth a shit.  If you think you've found a fan mix that I should include, drop a link in the comment section, and we'll all take a gander.

"I lie in a dreamlike state and wonder if this fear will go away..."

Great music...

Erasure - Wild - the Remixes - 1989 - Disc One

Erasure - Wild - the Remixes - 1989 - Disc Two