Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Refreshed Cucumbers Ripe For the Pickin'

Not long after Kevinpat's latest installment of 'Hoboken to Athens' I got a nice note from Deena Shoshkes from the Cucumbers, a band so swell they are featured on volumes one, two and (spoiler alert!) three of the brilliant mix. Before I get a good ribbing for this blatant name-drop, there's actually a reason for telling this tale. Deena had news of a compilation out today that is sure to shake Hoboken and reverberate around the globe.

'The Fake Doom Years (1983-1986)' covers the self-titled EP from 1983, the long player 'Who Betrays Me & Other Happier Songs' from 1985 and the 12-inch single "All Shook Up" from 1986. There are previously unreleased extras too, including a studio recording of "Keep Your Cool" and a live take of "The Body Groove," recorded at Ziggy's in Winston-Salem, N.C., circa September of '85. I'm not telling you to unload your vinyl copies, not by any means, but this remastered collection has never sounded better. Give it a listen below. Then order your digital download from CDBaby. This one has had my attention for days now. What a blast! That first EP has such a great B-52s and X vibe. Athens and Los Angeles are a long way from Hoboken, but as Kevinpat likes to say, it's all connected.

Yep, there's more. To celebrate this release, the band will give a one-off performance on May 13 at the Rent Party at the Woodland in Maplewood, N.J., featuring the classic mid-'80s lineup. Hmm, would Mrs. LTL give me some of her frequent flier miles... again?

5 comments:

Charity Chic said...

I have a solo album by Deena after George waxed lyrical about it
Looking forward to listening to the band

kevinpat said...

Oh that's just fun. "My Boyfriend" is my shower go-to song. If you go to the NJ show Brian, let me know. Maybe we can Cucumber together!

Brian said...

CC, would love it if you highlighted that solo album.

Kevinpat, would be great if I could come out. Not likely, but I'll let you know. If you go, you'll have to let us know all about it.

Charity Chic said...

http://charitychicmusic.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/deena-and-deanna.html

There you go Brian

Brian said...

Thanks for taking the time, CC. Good stuff.