Bitch Magnet

Bitch Magnet, “Navajo Ace”

I wanted them to keep going with that stuttering thing they had in the first thirty seconds, but the rest of the song is plenty fun as well.

They Might Be Giants, “You Probably Get That A Lot”

I think I’ve made this point before, but that was probably a long time ago. There’s a lot of Five Songs, and nobody is really paying much attention to it. That includes the staff of Five Songs. Anyway, just think of it like how when you know a friend long enough, you’re going to hear the same stories a lot and even start to take comfort in them.

Cap’n Jazz, “Little League”

Analphabetapolothology gathers together Cap’n Jazz’s one LP with their non-album releases onto one delicious record, capturing the entire work of one of the great but forgotten bands of the mid-90s underground. Like Squirrel Bait, they’re more known for their successor bands than their actual work, as both Joan of Arc and the Promise Ring came out of Cap’n Jazz. But also as with Squirrel Bait, ignoring the parent band’s output would be a huge mistake, as it’s bursting with ideas and energy. This comp really is one of the highlights of the 90s, and if you haven’t listened to it, my goodness, you’re in for a treat.

Eminem, “Guilty Conscience”

I am amused at Dr. Dre playing someone’s guilty conscience.

Bitch Magnet, “Motor”

Oh yeah, that’s the stuff. That late 80s/early 90s production really just connects to me, because of how old I was during that time. Anyway, this is how Bitch Magnet’s first album (Umber) kicked off, and it’s a good record. Ben Hur is probably a little better, but that’s not a knock on this one.

Another month in the books! Still hanging in there on the daily grind, but it’s definitely been a little more wobbly.

Leprous, “Alleviate”

Like clockwork, Leprous puts out a record every other year, and with each passing album, they just get more and more theatrical. Is this even metal any more? I don’t think so! This is some serious theatre kid rock at this point. Doesn’t stop me from buying each of these records, mind you.

Periphery, “The Gods Must Be Crazy!”

Just pure progressive metal here, with the clean singing and studio wizardry that are hallmarks of the genre. This stuff can be really hit or miss for me - for every Coheed & Cambria or The Ocean that hit for me, there’s a, uh, Periphery that doesn’t connect. It’s hard for me to put my finger on why, exactly, other than maybe the songs. This feels to me like it exists only as a showcase for instrumental prowess.

Christmas Eve! This is all pre-recorded, so I hope you all are enjoying your holidays! Here’s your decidedly non-Christmas playlist for today!

The Minus 5, “The Town That Lost Its Groove Supply”

Another song from Down With Wilco, a thoroughly charming album that I heartily recommend everybody pick up right now. Why right now? Scott McCaughey, one of my personal musical heroes and somebody I’ve been listening to for the last 27 years, suffered a stroke a few weeks ago. Given how much trying to recover from something like that costs, he’ll need every cent he can get. So, buy a great album, and help a great musician. If you’d like to contribute directly, there’s also a GoFundMe.