The Year in Rock

So another year ends, and what do we have to show for it? Just another pile of dead rock stars. And, yes, I am going to take this time to piss off all the “Deadheads” by admitting that my life probably is going to go on with or without Jerry Garcia. Damn! Some people may actually have to get jobs, take showers, and move on with their lives. I’m also going to get over the loss of Shannon “all I can say is that this song is pretty lame” Hoon, singer of Blind Melon. It’s not that I have anything against either of them, but I’m rather sick of their music at this point. If anyone thinks that I’ll miss that putrid little bee girl, I have a giant can of Raid that’ll prove you wrong. My only regret about Garcia or Hoon is that I have a long list of people I would have loved to see leave us first. Hootie and the Blowfish or Paul McCartney for example. Anyway, enough ranting and raving, let’s talk about the highlights from last year.

There were some great albums released, and here are my faves, in no particular order. 

Jeff Buckley
Grace

This man has one of the most dynamic and unusual voices in the rock industry at the moment, and he writes beautiful songs about everyone’s favorite subject, dysfunctional love. Kids, don’t ask questions. 

Run to your nearest CD store and buy this. After you hear “So Real,” you’ll be hooked. Then, you need to go find the EP’s “Live at Sine” and “Peyote Radio Theatre.” The latter will be hard to find because it was issued as a promo only. Kill if you must. 

Elastica
Self-titled

This is a self-titled debut from a bunch of wacky, androgynous kids that seem to belong to the Suede school of rock and roll. They seem to have a lot of that late ‘70s and early ‘80s sound in their music. The Clash, Blondie and Wire all seem to be hanging out on this disk. 

They have this video where they are all wearing these clothes that even the Smashing Pumpkins wouldn’t be caught dead in, driving around in this thing that looks like a white Batmobile, chasing something that looks like Kasper (the friendly ghost), on the set of the Blade Runner. This sums this band up very well as far as I’m concerned. They are probably saying something important here, but no one really knows what it is, including themselves.

Joy Division

Yes, you all thought he was dead, but apparently he lives. “Warsaw” has been reissued, finally with good sound and including five bonus tracks, “Inside the Line,” “Gutz,” “At a Later Date,” “The Kill,” and “You’re No Good For Me.” Some of these tracks have been difficult to find but very worth the effort. Unfortunately, this might still be hard to find, because it’s only available as an import at the moment. But as soon as Qwest realizes they can make a buck, you’ll probably see it everywhere.

A Means to An End: The Music of Joy Division

This is a tribute album featuring some of your fave and not-so-fave artists destroying your favorite Joy Division songs. “Love Will Tear Us Apart” is one of the casualties. “New Dawn Fades” and “They Walked in Line” probably would have made Ian proud. Finally, for die-hards (and fools) there is a new Qwest compilation, “Permanent.” This is almost an exact replication of “Substance.” Leave it alone. The label has enough money. 

Sugar
Besides

Let’s face it, we’ve all loved Bob at one point in our lives. He wrote some great songs while serving time in Hüsker Dü, and his current project is Sugar. Besides is a compilation of the B-sides from all of the singles, plus a few other obscurities. And, if you can get your fat ass off that chair, you might be able to catch the limited version with the extra disc inside. This is a live show Bob did somewhere. You could have two really great discs for the price of one. 

Garbage —– This is another self-titled debut, starring Shirley “no, I’m not related” Manson and Butch Vig, very renowned producer of Nirvana and Smashing Pumpkins. This album has really grown on me. At first, I wrote it off, deeming it just another lame grouping of has-beens. But there’s something here, something that works. Manson’s voice sounds far better than with her previous band, Angel-fish. This album is full of infectious hooks that really will leave you wanting more. Check out “Queer” or “Vow” for example. The “Torn Apart” mix of “Vow” on the single has my vote for the best remix this year. It will not get out of your head. Garbage wants to break your soul apart. 

I think they may be the Antichrist, and that’s good enough for me. 

Compilations 

There were approximately 850 albums released this year that were either tributes, benefits or some kind of compilation. What started out as a cute trend has become rather annoying. At the rate we’re going we’ll have tributes to Huey Lewis, Whitney Houston or (God forbid) another Eagles tribute. This is a trend that needs to come to a quick halt. However, “Ain’t Nuthin’ But a She Thing” is one of the better albums from this genre, if only for the return of Patti Smith. The first one of your stupid X96 kids that gets her confused with Patti Smith is dead meat. Who is Patti? Godmother of punk, poet, rock icon, all of this and more. Go buy her albums: “Horses,” “Wave,” and “Easter” and you’ll hear for yourself. Anyway, Smith sings “Don’t Smoke in Bed” here. Sinead, Annie Lennox and Come all have new tracks. Melissa Etheridge does a tearful version of Joan Armatrading’s “The Weakness in Me.” Buy this. “Spirit of 73” has some of today’s stars doing songs that were popular around the Roe vs. Wade era. Joni Mitchell’s “River” is redone by Rosanne Cash. Johnette does Patti’s “Dancing Barefoot.” Far superior to U2. 

There are also new versions of some of your least liked disco classics, such as “If I Can’t Have You,” “More, More, More,” and “We Are Family.” These versions are just as bad and entertaining the second time around. This album benefits Rock For Choice, which is a very important cause. Time to rant and rave again. If any of you idiots are still believing that it is better to bring an unwanted child into the world, then you are truly fucked up. Not to mention we should all be able to make choices in a free society. If you think this is not true, you probably fantasize about blowing Newt. And swallowing. Disgusting. 

Steve Earle
Train-A-Comin’ 

Yes, a country album.

Don’t cry little x96 kiddies. For all of you real intelligent kids who say real impressive things like, “I like all music except classical…and country…and rap…blah blah blah,” this is your cue to get your face out of this article. On “Train-A-Comin’, Steve Earle has assembled some of the finest bluegrass and country musicians around and come up with a beautiful, acoustic and seemingly very personal album. I think this is one of the greatest country albums since “Exit-O.” Emmylou Harris’ “Wrecking Ball” will get an honorable mention here. Daniel Lanois produced this, which removed a lot of her country sound. But that’s okay, because she’s covering some of the greats here, Hendrix, Dylan, Lucinda Williams and a version of Earle’s “Goodbye” that will bring a tear to your eye whether you’re an idiot or not.

Son Volt
Trace 

This is a great fucking album. And what else should be expected from former members of Uncle Tupelo? This is one of those albums that makes you want to drive to that really sleazy bar at the edge of town, order a pitcher of beer and just sit and cry over lost loves. Wilco’s “A.M.” deserves to be mentioned here since they are the rest of Uncle Tupelo, but compared to “Trace,” it sucks. 

Gringo
Self-titled 

The last of the good albums of ‘95. Another self-titled debut, this one in the Mazzy Star–Cowboy Junkies vein. This is a country rock band that has come up with a far better album in their living room than most bands ever will in the studio. Remember the first time you heard Mazzy’s “Halah” or the Junkies’ “Misguided Angel?” Gringo’s “The Organ Song” will put these to shame. Go find it, buy it immediately, listen to it. If you can’t find it, have Rick at Salt City order it for you. 

Obviously the above albums were the albums that gave me an erection this past year. Unfortunately, there always has to be bad with the good, so the following is a list of the albums that made me flaccid. 

Michael Jackson
HIStory

So what is the story? The story is that Michael and Lisa Marie really do have sex. Yuck. She dresses up like a boy scout, he dresses up like Elizabeth Taylor (like that’s a stretch) and they bump uglies…and boy, do we mean uglies. 

Red Hot Chilli Peppers
One Hot Minute

Ever wonder how Dave Navarro ended up in one of the worst bands of all time? I hope he fired his agent. Anthony is the second worst male vocalist on the market today, the first being Michael Bolton. Guys, please keep your clothes on. I’m getting sick. I’d rather watch the Rolling Stones run around in their underwear.

Annie Lennox
Medusa 

Annie, what happened? “Diva” wasn’t exactly good, but it wasn’t near this bad. You either need Dave back, or you need to quit.

Neil Young
Mirror Ball 

I don’t really hate Pearl Jam as much as everyone else, and I like Neil. But, the thought of them collaborating, recording or touring together makes me want to vomit blood. I haven’t heard a single note off of this album, and it still made my Worst Top 10 for the year.

Sting
Fields of Gold–Best of 

Isn’t having String and “Best of” in the same title somehow a contradiction? False advertising? The Barry Manilow of the ‘90s, with my apologies to Barry. And, yes, I know you Police fans are all crying now. I know you’re mad. Bring it on. I’m not afraid of you sissies.

Tears For Fears
Raoul and the Kings of Spain 

Do you wish there would have been some sort of tragedy after “The Hurting?” You’re not the only one.

Queen 

What is with all of these constant re-issues? How many times do we need the exact same version of these songs? Let the dead man rot in peace. 

Natalie Merchant
Tigerlily 

Bland, boring, stupid. Did I miss anything?

Alanis Morissette
Jagged Little Pill

You oughta know by now, that because of one catchy little song, chock full of references to fucking and fellatio that we will never get rid of her. She sings horribly and writes stupid songs. I’ve got one hand on my shotgun and the other one loading the ammo.

Lori Carson
Where it Goes

This is not actually bad, but sounds almost exactly like “Pure.” If you love her and can’t get enough of her voice, go find her first album, “Shelter.” Excellent songs. Beautiful voice.

Read more from the SLUG Archives:
May 1, 1995: WHY? THINGS BURN – Royce
New Band Review: February 1995 – Mad Max