MY TWO SHITS WORTH: EPISODE TWO

     I hoped the one viewer who read my last post enjoys this one just as well.  In this post,  I'm talking about overlooked albums and this one is a bit of a head scratcher.  In 1997 Marcy Playground had one the most played (er, overplayed) songs of the year that wasn't about The Titanic.  "Sex And Candy"  was a laid back and mostly acoustic ode to underage women that caught fire on radio.  What was interesting is that the self titled album that spawned the monster was originally released through the EMI main label but just weeks after its release the label went tits up and most of the releases on the label were 'set free.'  However,  the label re-released the album on the Capitol imprint and kept promoting the song and came out a winner.  The bands' 2nd release for the label is a different story.
     In 1999, the band released "Shapeshifter" and not without a bit of controversy.  The cover art by Mark Ryden was also selected to be the cover art on the then upcoming release by Butthole Surfers.  There was a bit of bitching between the two camps but MP won out and the painting went on their release.....which was totally ignored by everyone everywhere.  Why?  Maybe it was the "Sex And Candy" burnout or the fact that it was a totally different and superior album.  Leader John Wozniak wasn't too pleased with the outside production on the 1st release and most of the songs were in the same laid back vein.  So for "Shapeshifter" Wozniak took control of the production and amped up everything.  The songs themselves sound raw and direct.  They have an almost demo-like sound to them that is very alive.  "It's Saturday" ,which was the 1st single, set the tone with the tongue-in-cheek lyrics about a STD caused by a 'girl with New Jersey hair.'  "All The Lights Went Out" is a beautiful and feedback laden love ballad.  "Wave Motion Gun" is a bizarre but great anti-drug tune supposedly based on Wozniak's former addiction issues.  "Rebel Sodville" pays homage to some of the louder Neil Young and Crazy Horse workouts.  My favorite song "Pigeon Farm" is so gleefully weird that I've probably played it a few thousand times.  Whereas the self-titled effort was good but uneven, every tune on this record is a winner.
     Sadly, this album is out-of-print but easily found on this 'series of tubes.'  If you like loud guitars and truly original lyrics, buy this one.

MY TWO SHITS WORTH: EPISODE ONE

     Okay, so I promised I would start this intermittent blog post about albums that are, in my treasured opinion, severely underrated.  I've decided to start with a relatively new effort that did not even get an US release.  This would be Guy Garvey's debut solo album "Courting The Squall" from 2015.  Mr.  Garvey is the lead singer of the British band Elbow whose entire catalogue has been available in the states and have become somewhat of a cult favorite here in the States but are a big deal across the pond.  In fact, their last album went to #1 in the UK(#83 in the US) and "Courting The Squall" reached UK#3.  Garvey's voice is a bit reminiscent of Peter Gabriel although he doesn't have quite the range.
     His solo debut is a departure from the mostly hushed tones of recent Elbow releases and has more of a electronic bent with a minimalist production style.  The songs have more of a kick and a groove than a typical Elbow song which is a compliment.  "Angela's Eyes" starts things off with a wild beat and Garvey proclaiming he's been 'looking for the truth since God was a boy' and some bizarre keyboard sounds.  The title track sounds more like an Elbow tune but more experimental musically and lyrically.
     You can buy this album for a very reasonable rate as an import and you really should, especially if you are an Elbow fan or even if you'd just like to spin something new to dance to that isn't your run of the mill EDM. 

THE FUTURE.

     I haven't talked about my almost incestuous love of music lately so starting soon I will be writing an occasional column called "My Two Shits Worth!" where I talk ad nauseam about an album or other things that I believe to be severely underrated.  I hope you'll enjoy it. 

MY CHRISTMAS WISH.

     I hope everyone has the happiest of holidays.  I also hope I'll be able to get the Buzzr network really soon!  More random verbiage to come.

ANOTHER RANDOM THOUGHT

     Can a reasonably good shampoo cost only 44 cents a bottle?  Let's drink some and find out!

WARNING LABELS ON PILL BOTTLES.

     No, this is not Andy Rooney rising from the dead to complain about something.  It's me this time.
I like it when one of the warnings say : 'May cause dizziness.'  MAY cause dizziness?  For what I pay, I demand not only dizziness but mind-altering hallucinations and delusions of grandeur as well.

YOU SAY 'HOPE.' I SAY THAT'S WHERE I'M GOING.

     One of my few moments of sheer joy and happiness is watching game shows because it brings me back to my days of childhood innocence.  When I was young game shows were all over daytime TV.  That's right kids;  no 'Baby Daddy' talk shows,  people masquerading as competent court judges or supposed 'soul baring' sessions with Dr. Phil.  Just real contestants and mostly B grade celebrities whose only objective was having fun.  Sounds downright quaint, eh?
     Well,  I've recently learned that the two breakout hits of last summer "$100,000 Pyramid" and "Match Game" have been renewed for a a second season with "Match Game" premiering on 1/4/17 along with the Anthony Anderson hosted "To Tell The Truth" that I have already not recommended for game show purists.  "Pyramid" will return whenever host Michael Strahan has a free moment from his other 37 hosting duties, one supposes.  Let the innocence return, if only for a few fleeting hours a week.  And if I'm asleep, make sure my blanket covers me.