Ska Week: The Selecter

Guitarist Noel Davies of the Selecter was a pal of Specials keyboard player and 2 Tone founder Jerry Dammers. So, when Dammers set about releasing the first single for the label and ran out of cash after recording just one song (The Specials' "Gangster"), he asked Davies if he had anything for the flip side. Davies had a home recording of an instrumental that became "The Selecter." About 5,000 copies of the 45 were pressed in 1979, and 2 Tone was born.

By 1980, Davies and six others, including the charismatic Pauline Black on vocals, would release the album 'Too Much Pressure,' as the Selecter. Although 'Too Much Pressure' is a pivotal piece of the genre, Davies quickly grew tired of the scene in general and 2 Tone in particular, calling it "just a successful pop label." I guess a chain of UK top 10 hits was too much for the outsider artist. Members defected even before a second album, 'Celebrate the Bullet,' was released. By 1982, the Selecter called it quits.

Here are my five favorite Selecter songs. I start with that B side from 1979. The other four songs come from 'Too Much Pressure.' "Three Minute Hero" deserves top 5 status, but I skipped it since I included the live version from 'Dance Craze' in yesterday's post.

The Selecter Top 5
The Selecter - The Selecter (mp3)
The Selecter - Missing Words (mp3)
The Selecter - On My Radio (mp3)
The Selecter - Too Much Pressure (mp3)
The Selecter - Carry Go Bring Home (mp3)

Ska Week: 'Dance Craze' Soundtrack

Welcome to Ska Week! For the next several days we'll take a listen to the best of ska's second wave. For me, that basically comes down to the British movement of the late '70s through the mid-'80s. That also means lots from the 2 Tone label. We start with the soundtrack spawned from a 1981 documentary about 2 Tone and its stable of stars. If, like me, you're from the west side of the Atlantic, the word "stars" sounds like hyperbole. Believe me, it's not. Jerry Dammers of the Specials started the label in 1979. By the time director Joe Massot began shooting the film in 1980, 2 Tone had already released seven singles. All of them had sold at least a quarter-million copies each, and five of them had reached the British top 10. So, that's where we begin. I have posted one song from each band that appears in 'Dance Craze.' As the lads used to say, "Rock steady." These songs are ripped from my very old vinyl that's been played to death. So, enjoy the pops, too.

Side A
1. The Specials - Concrete Jungle (mp3)
2. The English Beat - Mirror in the Bathroom
3. Bad Manners - Lip Up Fatty (mp3)
4. Madness - Razor Blade Alley
5. The Selecter - Three Minute Hero (mp3)
6. The Bodysnatchers - Easy Life (mp3)
7. The English Beat - Ranking Full Stop (mp3)
8. Madness - One Step Beyond (mp3)

Side B
1. The English Beat - Ranking Full Stop
2. The Specials - Man At C & A
3. The Selecter - Missing Words
4. Bad Manners - Inner London Violence
5. Madness - Night Boat to Cairo
6. The Selecter - Too Much Pressure
7. The Specials - Nite Klub

Enter the Vaselines... Again

After a two-decade absence, Sub Pop brought the Vaselines back into our consciousness last year with a fantastic collection of the band's entire previous studio work (along with demos, live tracks and other gems) called 'Enter the Vaselines.' Little did we know then that the duo would grace us with a new album in 2010. 'Sex With an X' won't be out until Sept. 14, but Sub Pop has just released a song from it. Although I don't agree with the sentiment expressed by the Scots, I do think it's a pretty good tune. Download "I Hate the '80s" now.

'Sex With An X' Tracklist
1. Ruined
2. Sex With An X
3. The Devil Inside Me
4. Such a Fool
5. Turning It On
6. Overweight But Over You
7. Poison Pen
8. I Hate the 80's
9. Mouth to Mouth
10. Whitechapel
11. My God's Bigger Than Your God
12. Exit The Vaselines

New Costello Comp Tracks Universal Years

We'll have some news on a brand-new studio album from Elvis Costello in just a bit. In the meantime, Hip-O Select has announced a compilation of his work covering 1998-2008.
'Pomp & Pout: The Universal Years' hits the shelves July 27 and features songs handpicked by Costello himself. Let's face it: This isn't his strongest era. In fact, 'When I Was Cruel' is probably the only album I could recommend in good conscience, but the spottiness of the other records from this time period is exactly why I think this compilation is pretty good.

There aren't too many rarities here, but there are a couple of goodies Costello fans may not own. For example, I don't have the song from 'The Big Lebowski' soundtrack (pretty sure this one was done with Brodsky Quartet), and not many of us bought the Japanese version of 'North.' Then again, not many bought 'North' at all. One tiny slip, in my opinion, was not including anything from 'Cruel Smile.' The 2002 collection is full of remixes, live performances and a few other nuggets from the 'When I Was Cruel' era. Here is one of my favorites from that record and a strong cut that you'll find on this new compilation.

'Pomp & Pout' Tracklist
1. Bedlam (The Delivery Man)
2. Stella Hurt (Momofuku)
3. No Hiding Place (Momofuku)
4. This House is Empty Now (Painted From Memory)
5. Impatience (North, Japanese edition)
6. Tart (When I Was Cruel)
7. The Sweetest Punch (Painted From Memory)
8. My Mood Swings (The Big Lebowski soundtrack)
9. When I Was Cruel No. 2 (When I Was Cruel)
10. Ascension Day (The River in Reverse)
11. Dust (When I Was Cruel)
12. Country Darkness (The Delivery Man)
13. 45 (When I Was Cruel)
14. In the Darkest Place (Painted From Memory)
15. The River in Reverse (The River in Reverse)
16. Monkey to Man (The Delivery Man)
17. In Another Room (The Delivery Man: Deluxe Edition)
18. Still (North)

Elvis Costello - When I Was Cruel No. 2 (mp3)
Elvis Costello & the Imposters - 15 Petals (Live) (mp3)

My Cup Runneth Over

Congratulations to the Stanley Cup champs! Thank you, Blackhawks. It has been a pleasure committing to the Indian.

The Fratellis - Chelsea Dagger (mp3)
Here Come the Hawks (mp3)

Cover Me Impressed: Jason Falkner Edition

The Cover Me Impressed I did a couple of weeks ago that featured OK Go's take on "This Will Be Our Year" got me thinking about Jason Falkner's cover of The Zombies classic. Then I just figured I would list a few of my favorite covers from the power-pop god. With so many choices from his vast catalog of B-sides and such (and even an entire disc of other bands' goodies), it wasn't easy to choose these four.

First a quick explanation of the songs. "This Will Be Our Year" is a B-side Falkner often plays at live shows. Electric Light Orchestra's "Do Ya" is taken from a Jeff Lynne tribute album called 'Lynne Me Your Ears.' Other artists of note on that collection are Jeffrey Foskett, Bill Lloyd, Peter Holsapple and Todd Rundgren. Falkner takes Def Leppard's hard rocking "Photograph" and turns it into jangly pop on 'Metal Rules,' a tribute to all things '80s hair band. Brian Eno's "Burning Airlines Give You So Much More" can be found on Falkner's double-disc Japanese import 'Everyone Says It's On.' The first disc is full of demos from Falkner's earliest solo work. The second disc is all covers, and there are some real keepers here by Kinks, Left Banke, Tom Waits and more. This collection was really expensive, but I have never regretted forking out the bucks. Happy listening.

The Zombies - This Will Be Our Year (mp3)
Jason Falkner - This Will Be Our Year (mp3)

Electric Light Orchestra - Do Ya (mp3)
Jason Falkner - Do Ya (mp3)

Def Leppard - Photograph (mp3)
Jason Falkner - Photograph (mp3)

Brian Eno - Burning Airlines Give You So Much More (mp3)
Jason Falkner - Burning Airlines Gives [sic] You So Much More (mp3)

More Cover Me Impressed:
"True Love Will Find You In The End"
"This Will Be Our Year"
"You're My Favorite Waste of Time"
"Nightime/Thirteen"
"The End Of The World"
"(Don't Go Back To)Rockville"
"God Only Knows"
"And Your Bird Can Sing"
"So Sad About Us"
"Everywhere"
"Walking The Cow"

12 Inches of Love: Paul Young Edition

I recently acquired a 12" single that had eluded me for quite some time. Don't you love when that happens? I had the extended club mix of Paul Young's "Come Back and Stay" from an '80s compilation, but I was having quite a time tracking down the extended club mix of "Love of the Common People." Much to my surprise, I found a promo only version that contained both of these stellar singles. I'm sure you die-hard Young fans are screaming right now that these mixes aren't difficult to find anymore. The original album the songs came from, 'No Parlez,' was rereleased in 2008 as a double-disc, 25th-anniversary edition complete with both 12" versions, as well as an extended mix of "Iron Out the Rough Spots" and other goodies. All I can say in my defense is that I really wanted the vinyl.

Here is a quick look at the vitals. Both of these songs were huge hits in the UK ("Come Back and Stay" peaked at No. 4, "Love of the Common People" at No. 2), and 'No Parlez' went to No. 1. Young wouldn't have a hit like that here in America until he covered Hall & Oates' "Every Time You Go Away" in 1985. That one shot all the way to No. 1. "Love of the Common People" did have a little success on American radio and MTV before peaking at No. 45. That's due, in some part, to its inclusion on the 'Sixteen Candles' soundtrack. As for "Come Back and Stay," it peaked at a modest No. 22. Young, obviously, was a huge commercial success here with his second solo album, 'The Secret of Association.' I even saw him when he toured this side of the pond in 1986. He was never more artistically interesting, however, than when these two songs were released in 1983.

Paul Young - Come Back and Stay (Extended Club Mix) (mp3)
Paul Young - Love of the Common People (Extended Club Mix) (mp3) ripped from my vinyl

Cover Me Impressed: 'True Love Will Find You In The End'

As I mentioned back in April, Mates of State have a digital album of covers called 'Crushes' coming out on June 15. The collection is only $5 and, from the songs I have heard so far, will be worth every penny. If you want an actual CD of 'Crushes,' you'll have to buy a ticket to one of their shows this summer because that's the only place to pick it up. The duo has made a second song available from the "covers mixtape." This time it's Daniel Johnston's "True Love Will Find You In The End." Grab it from the widget below. You can still get the cover of Girls' "Laura" on the band's Web site, too. I have listened to that one more times than I can count.

'Crushes' Tracklist
1. Laura (Girls)
2. Son et Lumiere (The Mars Volta)
3. Sleep the Clock Around (Belle & Sebastian)
4. Technicolor Girls (Death Cab for Cutie)
5. Long Way Home (Tom Waits)
6. Love Letter (Nick Cave)
7. Second Hand News (Fleetwood Mac)
8. 17 Pink Sugar Elephants (Vashti Bunyan)
9. Roller Coaster Ride (Dear Nora)
10. True Love Will Find You in the End (Daniel Johnston)

Songs in Cinema: 'Role Models'

Many of you may already know this tale, but it's such a hoot that I think you won't mind reading about it again. The 2008 soundtrack to the raunchy comedy 'Role Models' featured a song by Wings... or was it? If you don't know what I mean, you should take one minute and six seconds to see this clip. Sorry, it couldn't be embedded.

OK, I'll assume you just saw the scene and chuckled. There is another instance or two when this fake McCartney tune is sung or talked about by one of the characters in the film. Finally, during the closing credits, we hear what sounds like classic Wings. For a moment, I was fooled, but I'm a pretty big fan and had never heard the song before. That just didn't seem likely. It's parts "Live and Let Die," "Junior's Farm," "Jet" and many other Macca favorites, which makes it all the more confusing. There is even some Linda in there.

The song, "Love Take Me Down (To The Streets)," was penned by songwriter Charles Gansa and actor A.D. Miles. Yep, he's the one playing Martin Gary in the scene you just watched. The vocals are expertly handled by Joey Curatolo, and they should be. He takes all of the McCartney parts in the Beatles tribute band Rain. The song is credited to "Joey Curatolo, Amy Miles, Chris Anderson and Charles Ganza" on the soundtrack. That's just too darn long. So, many refer to the band as Not Wings.

Not Wings - Love Take Me Down (To The Streets) (mp3)

Curtain Call: David Bowie

Curtain Call is an occasional series where I present one of my favorite live albums.

I have mentioned on more than a few occasions that I'm an unapologetic fan of all things David Bowie, and that even includes the oft-ridiculed Glass Spider Tour. For those of you who saw him in 1987, you may understand some of the criticism. It didn't help that the album he was supporting at the time, 'Never Let Me Down,' was panned by critics and many fans. It has aged even worse. This is all the general consensus, but I don't agree. I do think, however, Bowie's shows at the time were overblown affairs filled with huge props, annoying dancers... and Peter Frampton. If you're watching the 'Glass Spider' DVD, all of this gets in the way.

That's exactly why I wholeheartedly endorse the double-CD
'Glass Spider Live.' If you hated this tour, I recommend popping on your headphones and listening to the songs below. The spectacle of it all is no longer in the way. I chose two songs from 'Never Let Me Down,' as well as my favorite Bowie song from that decade. If you REALLY detest his '80s output with every fabric of your being, I probably can't persuade you. The tracklist won't help either. About half of the 20 songs from 'Glass Spider Live' are from the "me decade."

David Bowie - Day-In, Day-Out (Live) (mp3)
David Bowie - Loving the Alien (Live) (mp3)
David Bowie - Never Let Me Down (Live) (mp3)

More Curtain Calls
Van Dyke Parks
Robert Palmer
The Clash

More on New Crowded House LP

As I mentioned back in April, Crowded House is about to release its sixth studio album, and a few more details about 'Intriguer' have become available. Not only has the band given us the LP opener "Saturday Sun" as a free download, but they have just released a video for it, too.

The release date of mid-June I gave earlier for 'Intriguer,' it turns out, was not for America. Those of us on this side of the pond have to wait until mid-July, but you can already preorder it here. For a mere $12.99, the deluxe edition contains a DVD featuring the "Saturday Sun" video, eight songs "upstairs at home," plus two songs live at the Auckland Town Hall. You can find the complete tracklist, as well as the "Saturday Sun" video and download below. I can't wait for this one.

Crowded House - Saturday Sun (mp3)



'Intriguer' Tracklist (Deluxe Edition)
1. Saturday Sun
2. Archer's Arrows
3. Amsterdam
4. Either Side of the World
5. Falling Down
6. Isolation
7. Twice If You're Lucky
8. Inside Out
9. Even If
10. Elephants

Bonus DVD
1. Either Side Of The World (Upstairs at Home)
2. Amsterdam (Upstairs at Home)
3. Saturday Sun (Upstairs at Home)
4. Twice If You're Lucky (Upstairs at Home)
5. Elephants (Upstairs at Home)
6. Falling Dove (Upstairs at Home)
7. Isolation (Upstairs at Home)
8. Archer’s Arrows (Upstairs at Home)
9. Either Side of the World (Live at the Auckland Town Hall)
10. Isolation (Live at the Auckland Town Hall)
11. Saturday Sun (Video)

Facts in on New Arcade Fire

This is probably only news for those of you living under a rock. Merge and the band have announced a release date for Arcade Fire's third album, 'The Suburbs'. You can preorder the CD or double LP with download right now, but you'll still have to wait for Aug. 3 like the rest of us. Have you heard the first single and B-side yet? It sounds great but not much like what we're used to from these Canadians. Seems like they have scaled back from that full sound that occupies so much space on 'Funeral' and 'Neon Bible.' Now, obviously, you can rip the two new songs in the usual places. So, I'm not going to post mp3s this time around. Stream "The Suburbs" b/w "Month of May" at the band's Web site, right here.

When I started writing this post last night, Lollapalooza was the only U.S. stop for Arcade Fire, but a few more dates trickled in today. The big surprise is that in a few cities they will be playing with fellow Merge mates Spoon. Now that's a heck of a double bill. Here are the U.S. dates so far:

Aug. 1 - Boston - Bank of America Pavilion
Aug. 2 - Philadelphia - The Mann Center (with Spoon)
Aug. 4 - New York - Madison Square Garden (with Spoon)
Aug. 6 - Columbia, Md. - Merriweather Post Pavilion (with Spoon)
Aug. 8 - Chicago - Lollapalooza
Aug. 9 - Nashville - Ryman Auditorium
Aug. 11 - Atlanta - Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre (with Spoon)

And this is from the CBC...