Def Leppard - Hysteria II - 1987-88

This album had SEVEN singles.  That has to be some sort of world record.  What's amazing, is they could have released ALL of the album tracks as singles, as every single one of them was an absolute classic.  I bet I've listened to this album, literally, almost a thousand times.  It will go down as my most favorite Hard Rock/Heavy Metal album ever.

A rundown of the tracks...

-  Tracks 2, 9, 11, and 13 were all remixes that were released on their respective singles.
-  Track 1 was a remix for the Hystoria documentary, but sounds right in place here, and is good enough to be included on this compilation.
-  Track 3 was a rare (and I think unreleased) mix that I happened upon on a bootleg.
-  Tracks 5, 6, and 7 were all recorded during the Hysteria sessions, but were not released until the Retroactive compilation.
-  Track 8 was originally recorded as a b-side during the Hysteria sessions, but was re-recorded during the Adrenalize sessions and released on that album.
-  Tracks 10 and 14 were recorded during the Hysteria sessions, but were never released.
-  Track 12 was a b-side (for PSSOM) and then re-released on the Retroactive compilation.

I saw these guys in the summer of 1988 in Chicago at the Rosemont Horizon.  I was almost 17, had a girlfriend, and friends from work who all wanted to go.  Needless to say, the show was fantastic.  If I could see this show again, I would in a heartbeat.  I saw this show and the INXS Calling All Nations tour in the same summer.  What a fucking awesome summer....

Def Leppard - Hysteria II - 1987-88

HEAVY METAL WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alright!  Pull up your socks and grab your cocks, we are headed into HEAVY METAL WEEK!

That's right! One full week of classic Hard Rock and Metal from the 80s, 90s, and 00s, starting tomorrow!

For those interested, I'll be doing some Def Leppard, Ozzy, Megadeth, TNT, and a bunch more.  It's going to be a blast!

That being said, if you don't like that style of music, you may want to take the week off and plug your ears, because that's all I'll be playing here.

See you tomorrow!

A-ha - Stay On These Roads - 1988

After Scoundrel Days came out, I eagerly awaited this release.  My sister was the one who bought all the A-ha stuff, so when this came out, I prodded and pushed her relentlessly until she finally went down and bought it (I was 16 and she was 14)  I think in that first couple months, I listened to this album more than her. 

I feel that this is a fantastic album.  It continues along the same vein as it's predecessors with beautiful synths and warm vocals and melodies.  A truly terrific album. BUT...

-  I prefer Scoundrel Days to this album.
-  The original mix of The Living Daylights is really horrible.  The album mix is by far SUPERIOR.
-  I've included the unreleased demos from these sessions, and they're pretty weak.

This album was A-ha's last trendy poppy pretty-boy release.  Starting with the very next album, they actually released an album that had some balls.  That's when I began to truly respect them as musicians in it for the long haul, and not some flash in the pan.

They've obviously released a deluxe version of this album already, but I felt the need to do my own version, as they (along with a lot of other artists) didn't release it in a format that could be listened to in one sitting without shuffling the tracks.  They'd back shitty demo with excellent recording to live track to remix to first and second takes to the same song mixed differently back to back to back.  I hope that with this collection, I've weeded out the garbage and made it more palatable for one listening.  I hope you agree...

A-ha - Stay On These Roads - 1988

Xilent - We Are Virtual - 2015

I honestly haven't been the greatest fan of Trance or Dubstep.  I sample artists when I can, but I rarely have found any worthy of following.  The ones I hear most about, are usually too trendy and their music sounds like shit, anyway.

I happened upon Xilent here last year, and have enjoyed him the most of all the artists so far (followed closely by Datsik.)  I wouldn't put him on par with BT or Oakenfold, but he's definitely on par with ATB or Van Buuren.

The cool thing about Xilent's work is that he uses the dub and the sounds to actually create a melodic creation.  Too often these artists are just interested in creating a beat and going crazy all over it with the dub.  That is a waste of time.  Xilent actually turns it into something worthy of artistic merit.

I collected the tracks from the Virtual album and the accompanying singles and some additional remixes that he's done for others.  This is a good CD to listen to while your driving about town with your mates (listen to me, trying to talk like I'm British or something.)  It's great loud, but it's also good as simple background music while you're chatting.  I like it, I hum it occasionally at work, and it's one that I've included in my permanent collection.

The Falling Apart mixes are the best...

Xilent - We Are Virtual - 2015

Chris & Cosey - Trust - 1989

Again, in the late 80s, having been introduced to Industrial music through Skinny Puppy and Ministry, I looked feverishly for anything that resembled Industrial.  That, along with the distinctive Steven Gilmore cover, is how I found Chris & Cosey.

For those who don't know who Chris & Cosey are, I highly recommend clicking here.  To know the extensive back history of these two people really helps to understand and appreciate their work.  I DO say appreciate, as their work with Throbbing Gristle can only be appreciated, as I really think it sounds pretty bad.  But, obviously someone liked it....

The thing that I really liked about it was the samples and style of the music.  It came out in 1989, about the same time as Hellbound - Hellraiser II.  This album as samples from the original Hellraiser, so listening to this album while watching (or having watched) Hellbound really made my spirit shiver and curl.  Just creepy and frightening.

As the time has passed, I've found that I have to be in a really special mood to sit and listen to this.  Even the simple drive in the car with this playing is a little rough.  It's dark, seductive yet uncomfortable at the same time.  It just makes me feel uneasy now.  A little creeped out.

As for Cosey Fanni Tutti, be very careful when you Google her name.  You'd be surprised as to the pics you may find, based on her past career.  Naughty naughty!!!

Chris & Cosey - Trust - 1989

Descendents - Milo Goes To College - 1982

When my parents finally gave up on keeping me from "secular" Rock N Roll, one of the first albums I bought, at the behest of my pseudo-skate friends, was the Descendents MGTC.   I had listened to them with friends before, and loved their music, so it wasn't to much for me to slap down my hard-earned for a little straight-edge Punk Rock from California.

I think that if there hadn't been a Descendents (and a Stiff Little Fingers) then there would never have been a Green Day.  The Descendents were Green Day before there was a Green Day.  The Descendents had great vocals, awesome pop-hooks and hilarious yet serious lyrics.  Just like Green Day...

The best tracks on this one start about track 7, which is after the Bonus Fat EP tracks, and the actual first track to the album.  They roll through about 6 tracks before they start to cool off and blend together.  Myage, Marriage, Bikage.  But the BEST track Tonyage, and it's only 56 seconds long.  Fantastic.  This one even has Wienerschnitzel, the track that had a cameo in the Christian Slater movie Pump Up the Volume.

This is one of the albums that I pull out when I want to reminisce about my teen years in the big old CHICAGO, my favorite town.  I still remember the girl that introduced me to them.  Her name was Sharon, and most of the boys made fun of her.  I felt bad about that.  Anyway, we were on our way to school on a fall morning, and she popped it in the tape deck, and sang every song, all the way to school.  I just sat in the back seat with another kid, and stared out the window...

Descendents - Milo Goes To College - 1982

Oasis - (What's The Story) Morning Glory - B-Sides - 1995

After yesterday's Godfather of British Rock, I follow it with the two princes of British Rock, the Gallagher brothers.  Their best album, ever.

The first time I heard Oasis was Live Forever on a random music magazine's sampler disc.  I really couldn't stand it, as it was a very whiny annoying song.  I wrote them off as just another band, and went on my way.

After a while, I started hearing a lot about them.  People were talking.  I continued to resist because now I just thought they were trendy.  Oh, the trendy thing to do, let's all like Oasis.  Whatever.  I mean, who the hell names their band Oasis?  What a dumbass name.

Then, Morning Glory came out, and I have to admit I was interested.  I still hadn't heard any music by them, but there was definite hype surrounding them.  The little rivalry between them and Blur had popped up, and I was still, personally more interested in Blur (even though they had also gone that nasally whiny Britrock style, too)  When the little competition between their singles happened, and Oasis won, I finally broke down and bought their album.

Mind you, all this time, the only thing I had heard by Oasis was that one song, Live Forever.  That was it.  So, when I bought the album, and played it through, by the end of it I was dumbstruck, shellshocked, bowled-over by the absolute magnificence of this album.  It is TRULY LEGENDARY, and will be for a very long time.  If they don't get inducted into the R&R Hall of Fame for this album alone, I would be absolutely shocked.

The best part about the release of this album was the singles and all of their b-sides.  That is what I've compiled here, as Disc Two of the (WTS)MG? album.  All the b-sides in one spot as not just a companion to the original release, but equally part of the album.  I feel that a lot of the tracks on the b-sides were better than album tracks.

My wife and I, before we got married, took a little vacation in Chicago for 3-4 days one autumn, shortly after the release of this album.  To cruise through the streets of such a magnificent city, listening to Morning Glory and Champagne Supernova back-to-back, is quite exhilarating.  Music rocking, one hand on the wheel, the other holding her hand.  Love Love Love.

I still think Oasis is a stupid band name.

Oasis - (What's The Story) Morning Glory - B-Sides - 1995

and here's the album, too, for good measure...