Its a Maiden Monday here on Vinyl in the Valley!
Enjoy!
Monday, March 21, 2016
Tuesday, March 15, 2016
Purson - "Leaning On A Bear" (2013)
Hey there friends,
Enjoy some carny-inspired psych courtesy of London's Purson.
Enjoy some carny-inspired psych courtesy of London's Purson.
And as for lead singer, Rosalie Cunningham? Well, we wouldn't kick her out of the tiki bar!
Sunday, March 13, 2016
R.I.P. Keith Emerson
Another sad day in rock & roll.
Progressive rock pioneer Keith Emerson left us on Friday.
As founding member of The Nice and the ultimate prog-rock supergroup, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Emerson was the Jimi Hendrix of the synthesizer. Part-virtuoso, part-innovator, part-mad scientist, Emerson will be most remembered for his fusion of classical music styles and hard and heavy 70's rock'n'roll.
Fun Fact: Always the showman, Keith Emerson would also engage in knife throwing occasionally onstage. His knife of choice was a Nazi Dagger given to him by none other than Lemmy Kilmister who used to roadie for The Nice back in the 60's.
R.I.P. Fingers.
Friday, March 11, 2016
R.E.M. - "Country Feedback" (1991)
Hello Friends,
I can't believe R.E.M.'s Out Of Time is 25 years old this week.
It seems like it was only a couple of years ago that my mom came to my high school straight from a trip to Sam Goody to drop off a brand new copy of this cassette on the day it came out (which also happened to be my birthday.)
A quarter of a century later, this song still tears me up.
A quarter of a century later, this song still tears me up.
Crazy what you could've had.
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Elton John - "Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters" (1972)
Probably our favorite song by Elton John.
We're pressed between this and Lou Reed's "Perfect Day" as to which is a better overdose song used in a movie.
Enjoy!
Saturday, March 5, 2016
And Now I Know Spanish Harlem Are Not Just Pretty Words to Say
Elton John - "Honky Chateau" (1972) - Uni Records
Hey there Honky Cats,
We're taking it easy tonight and enjoying some vintage Elton John on the turntable!
Honky Chateau is Elton John's fifth studio album as well as his fifth collaboration with lyricist Bernie Taupin.
Amazing fucking record! Arguably his best.
A very warm sounding record in terms of overall sound and structure. Even though the lyrical themes throughout seem to be focused on isolation, loneliness, suicide, the need for salvation, et cetera, the LP plays like a big, toasty glass of dark red wine in a dimly-lit, smoky room.
Side One kicks off with the funky & upbeat "Honky Cat", followed by the easy-like-Sunday-morning "Mellow", the tongue-in-cheekish ditty, "I Think I'm Going to Kill Myself", and the could've-have-been-a-huge-hit, "Susie (Dramas)".
Side One concludes with the familiar, but no-less-astounding, "Rocket Man". A song we've heard a thousand times on the radio, in movies, et cetera, and still think its great!
Its no Shatner, but it'll do!
Side Two kicks off with the soulful & gospel-y "Salvation", a little preachy and overwrought but still pretty good.
With a bassline reminiscent of "Sittin' On the Dock of the Bay", the acoustic "Slave" is next and features some excellent pedal steel work courtesy of John's guitar player, Scotsman Davey Johnstone.
The funky, sleazy-sounding "Amy" follows and features some excellent electric violin soloing courtesy of Jean-Luc Ponty. Boy... this album just refuses to quit...
"Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" is probably our favorite Elton John track of all time! Just a beautiful, sad & perplexing song about being lost (and alone) (and overwhelmed) in New York City. Plus we'll never get the image out of our minds of Kate Hudson overdosing in her hotel room to this song in Almost Famous!
Amazing song, really!
The album ends with the O.K. Hercules (which also might be about a cat, which means this album is bookended by songs about felines!)
From start to finish Honky Chateau is a classic of 70's rock & roll. If he plays his cards right, this Elton John guy might have a career in him!
RATING: 5 thanks the lord that there's people out there like you out of 5
We're taking it easy tonight and enjoying some vintage Elton John on the turntable!
Honky Chateau is Elton John's fifth studio album as well as his fifth collaboration with lyricist Bernie Taupin.
Amazing fucking record! Arguably his best.
A very warm sounding record in terms of overall sound and structure. Even though the lyrical themes throughout seem to be focused on isolation, loneliness, suicide, the need for salvation, et cetera, the LP plays like a big, toasty glass of dark red wine in a dimly-lit, smoky room.
Side One kicks off with the funky & upbeat "Honky Cat", followed by the easy-like-Sunday-morning "Mellow", the tongue-in-cheekish ditty, "I Think I'm Going to Kill Myself", and the could've-have-been-a-huge-hit, "Susie (Dramas)".
Side One concludes with the familiar, but no-less-astounding, "Rocket Man". A song we've heard a thousand times on the radio, in movies, et cetera, and still think its great!
Its no Shatner, but it'll do!
Side Two kicks off with the soulful & gospel-y "Salvation", a little preachy and overwrought but still pretty good.
With a bassline reminiscent of "Sittin' On the Dock of the Bay", the acoustic "Slave" is next and features some excellent pedal steel work courtesy of John's guitar player, Scotsman Davey Johnstone.
The funky, sleazy-sounding "Amy" follows and features some excellent electric violin soloing courtesy of Jean-Luc Ponty. Boy... this album just refuses to quit...
"Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" is probably our favorite Elton John track of all time! Just a beautiful, sad & perplexing song about being lost (and alone) (and overwhelmed) in New York City. Plus we'll never get the image out of our minds of Kate Hudson overdosing in her hotel room to this song in Almost Famous!
Amazing song, really!
The album ends with the O.K. Hercules (which also might be about a cat, which means this album is bookended by songs about felines!)
From start to finish Honky Chateau is a classic of 70's rock & roll. If he plays his cards right, this Elton John guy might have a career in him!
RATING: 5 thanks the lord that there's people out there like you out of 5
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Monday, February 29, 2016
Deerhunter - "Snakeskin" (2015)
Hello Friends,
Here's some newish stuff from Atlanta indie rockers, Deerhunter.
We're definitely digging the mid-70's Bowie vibe.
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Low Roar - "John Wayne Gacy Jr" (2014)
Icelandic dream pop band Low Roar taking on Sufjan Steven's ode to everyone's favorite clown/serial killer, John Wayne Gacy.
Creepy! The perfect tune for a damp & drizzly February.
Enjoy!
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