Music Samplers From My Youth: Part 2

For white suburban punks in the mid 1980s, holding a vinyl copy of 'Slash: The Early Sessions' was like a reverend grasping the good book. This was the back-cover message from the label:

Continuing to foster the time honored relationship between religion and rock and roll, Slash has compiled its first greatest hits sampler, which commemorates nothing, but which reaffirms this bond.

In the past, others have claimed the territory of popular music to be second only to religion, equal or even more important than religion. Slash has now taken these proclamations to their logical final conclusion: Slash is the word.

This position is defended within, as Slash bands cut through the cultural oatmeal with spicy tunes of truth, morality and meaning. This is an album to live your life by.

Frank Lloyd Wright had a quote for just this sort of situation. When accused of being pompous and self-righteous, he replied, "There is only one greater sin... false humility."

This sermon may seem gutsy, but it isn't when you have these tunes to back your argument. Check out this tracklist:

Side 1
The Blasters - Border Radio
Gun Club - Sex Beat
Rank and File - The Conductor Wore Black
Violent Femmes - Blister In The Sun
The Blasters - Long White Cadillac

Side 2
X- Los Angeles (mp3)
Fear - New York's Alright If You Like Saxophones
Germs - Caught In The Eye
The Dream Syndicate - Tell Me When It's Over
X - White Girl (mp3)

Like all truly great samplers, I went on to buy several other albums because of this single purchase. I definitely went through a cowpunk/punkabilly phase, and it all started here. Today, looking back, the one band that has held up best is X. So, I hope these two samples of their music will help you start a little exploration of your own. These mp3s are ripped right from my vinyl. Enjoy.