Black Flag – The First Four Years
Best pre-Rollins Flag singer? I'm going with Ron "Chavo" Reyes, who was with them when they filmed Declined Of Western Civilization. Sorry Dez. I think what hurts Cadena's candidacy the most is that he sings a couple of songs Henry would later sing better, especially "Damaged I".
sunn0))) & Boris – Altar
I'm filing this under Boris because I have a bunch of Boris records, and they're why I bought it, and I don't have any sunn0))) records. Not sure why I don't have any sunn0))) records. This album's awesome, by the way.
Cat Power – The Covers Record
Just got a copy of the Residents' "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" single, so I pulled this and a few other records out to listen to other versions of "Satisfaction". This one's good but... do the Residents win? Close, but no. Winner below.
The Church – Gold Afternoon Fix
Not a huge Church guy. Not sure why I pulled this one out. I hadn't listened to it in years. I really like the amount of attention they pay to their guitar tone. It's different in every song. And it's subtle, not like they just crank a different effect pedal all the way up for each song. It sounds like they spend hours EQing the lead guitar for a slightly different sound to fit each song.
Having said that, their songs aren't that great, and I probably won't listen to this again for another ten years. Want it? You can have mine. Seriously.
Circle Jerks – Group Sex
Awesome. It's kind of amazing how well this album holds up. My copy's pretty worn down, but who cares? It probably sounded like shit brand new. I got on a real hardcore kick one day last week. Good times.
Devo – Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo
Another version of "Satisfaction". Probably the most famous, but also probably my least favourite. Don't get me wrong, it's awesome, the others are just even better. I don't think you can do a bad version of this song, it's just bulletproof.
By the way, Terry Gross interviewed Keith on Fresh Air a week or two ago and it's great. The way he interacts with her is hilarious. It's also funny hearing him talk because he's fucking Keefe, this totally raw dude, but he's gut this upper-class English public school accent.
Bob Dylan – Blood On the Tracks
Otis Redding/The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Historic Performances Recorded At the Monterey International Pop Festival
And we have a winner. Otis's cover of "Satisfaction", hands down. Everything on this record by both acts is fantastic. It turns up in used shop all the time for like five bucks. If you see a copy, do yourself a favour.
Hüsker Dü – Zen Arcade
I hadn't listened to this in a while and was surprised at how well I remember every song. I think I used to listen to this a lot in high school. I'm not sure I really loved it so much as I was in awe of it and really respected it, but it scared the shit out of me, and I think sometimes I was forcing myself to listen to it. Does that make sense? What the fuck, I was a kid.
By the way, the difference in sound between the CD and the record is immeasurable. I had the CD in high school, and it sounds like shit. The record is so much better. It's still in print, too. You can order it from SST for like $15.
Minutemen – Double Nickels On the Dime
There's a great story about the sequencing of this record in the 331/3 book about it (which, by the way, is one of the best in the series). Supposedly they each took a side, then held a fantasy draft where they took turns picking songs for their side. The leftover stuff went on side four (labeled "side chaff"). Then they put the songs in the order they were picked, figuring the better songs should be toward the outside of the record because the grooves sound better there. Cute story, but "History Lesson - Part II" and "This Ain't No Picnic" are both near the end of their respective sides, so I'm not sure it's entirely true. In the book, Mike Watt makes a big deal about how the other two couldn't believe George Hurley picked "You Need the Glory" first, because the other two thought it was just a throwaway. All the stuff on George's side is kinda weird. George is kinda weird.
The Ramones – Leave Home
The Rolling Stones – Hot Rocks 1964-1971
Had an urge to listen to "Jumping Jack Flash" after listening to that aforementioned Richards interview. Great arpeggiated guitar riff in the chorus.
Frank Sinatra – The Sinatra Touch
Sly & the Family Stone – Dance To the Music
