Tower of Error
On this most recent Friday night, I decided to stop the Tower Records that I pass every weekday on the way home from work. I had heard a few radio commercials that mentioned a sale that , by my estimation, could net me all of the rock and roll cds I could possibly imagine, for just a few pennies.
My first mistake was an over-estimation of this deal. It turns out if was just 25% off a whole bunch of pretty big rock albums. But, seeing as most CDs at Tower start off at $18.99, it's not like you were getting a "steal" by any stretch of the imagination. My second mistake was that I trusted myself to shop cautiously, anyway, and didn't leave after making the realization that I wasn't going to get any amazing buys.
I bought 3 CDs, spending an approximate total of $34. Not bad, but three decisions that I now regret for a three different reasons.
The first CD I found myself carrying around was Chutes Too Narrow by the shins. My regret, in this instance, was simply that I didn't buy this album several months ago. I didn't like the $15.99 price tag, but although the album does leave me wanting for a little more from these guys it was probably the best of the three purchases. Great stuff.
The second thing I grabbed was an album called Toys in the Attic - by our good friends Aerosmith. Many people think of this is Aerosmith's best album, and I'd probably agree. While some might make decent argument that Aerosmith is a prime example of a Greatest Hits-will-do kind of a band, I really dig this album as a whole. My one regret, however, is that I don't have a time machine so I go back to 1975 and try to make the Beantown Bad-Boys reconsider tossing "Big Ten Inch Record" into the middle of an otherwise badass rock record. Unless that song is a metaphor for something, because a song that's literally about a 10-inch record, who wants to hear that? Spent $7.99 on this CD. Worth it!
Last and DEFINITELY least is a CD I picked up called The Best of the Tubes (1981-1987). Here's the story: I would have sworn that a few months ago I heard a song by The Tubes and kind of liked it. So, when I found the CD in the six-dollar bargain bin, I figured "sure, what the heck, I'll give them a shot." This was a really, really, serious mistake. I did some research on these guys and it turns out they were "satirists," or a "wacky" band of some distinction in the early-to-mid 80's. Well, maybe it's just a matter of a group not standing the test of time, but the ultra-cheesy 80's pop music is only out-cringed by the embarrasingly awful lyrics. Check out Sushi Girl for a prime example. (Sample lyrics: Su-su-sushi/Mushi-mushi/Cherry blossom and rice/Su-su-sushi/She's so nice.) But, if you're into the type of blazing 80's tunes one might expect to find buried deep within the Short Circuit soundtrack, by all means, check out The Tubes.
Usually when I hear a good song or interesting on the radio, I'll make a note of it. I consulted my notebook to see if I could find The Tubes scrawled in there anywhere. They were not. I did find this track written in there, though: The Feelies - Away. Not sure where I might have heard of it, originally, but I downloaded it the other day after finding the name in my notebook. Worth it!
My first mistake was an over-estimation of this deal. It turns out if was just 25% off a whole bunch of pretty big rock albums. But, seeing as most CDs at Tower start off at $18.99, it's not like you were getting a "steal" by any stretch of the imagination. My second mistake was that I trusted myself to shop cautiously, anyway, and didn't leave after making the realization that I wasn't going to get any amazing buys.
I bought 3 CDs, spending an approximate total of $34. Not bad, but three decisions that I now regret for a three different reasons.
The first CD I found myself carrying around was Chutes Too Narrow by the shins. My regret, in this instance, was simply that I didn't buy this album several months ago. I didn't like the $15.99 price tag, but although the album does leave me wanting for a little more from these guys it was probably the best of the three purchases. Great stuff.The second thing I grabbed was an album called Toys in the Attic - by our good friends Aerosmith. Many people think of this is Aerosmith's best album, and I'd probably agree. While some might make decent argument that Aerosmith is a prime example of a Greatest Hits-will-do kind of a band, I really dig this album as a whole. My one regret, however, is that I don't have a time machine so I go back to 1975 and try to make the Beantown Bad-Boys reconsider tossing "Big Ten Inch Record" into the middle of an otherwise badass rock record. Unless that song is a metaphor for something, because a song that's literally about a 10-inch record, who wants to hear that? Spent $7.99 on this CD. Worth it!Last and DEFINITELY least is a CD I picked up called The Best of the Tubes (1981-1987). Here's the story: I would have sworn that a few months ago I heard a song by The Tubes and kind of liked it. So, when I found the CD in the six-dollar bargain bin, I figured "sure, what the heck, I'll give them a shot." This was a really, really, serious mistake. I did some research on these guys and it turns out they were "satirists," or a "wacky" band of some distinction in the early-to-mid 80's. Well, maybe it's just a matter of a group not standing the test of time, but the ultra-cheesy 80's pop music is only out-cringed by the embarrasingly awful lyrics. Check out Sushi Girl for a prime example. (Sample lyrics: Su-su-sushi/Mushi-mushi/Cherry blossom and rice/Su-su-sushi/She's so nice.) But, if you're into the type of blazing 80's tunes one might expect to find buried deep within the Short Circuit soundtrack, by all means, check out The Tubes.Usually when I hear a good song or interesting on the radio, I'll make a note of it. I consulted my notebook to see if I could find The Tubes scrawled in there anywhere. They were not. I did find this track written in there, though: The Feelies - Away. Not sure where I might have heard of it, originally, but I downloaded it the other day after finding the name in my notebook. Worth it!
2 Comments:
ugh tower records. yay shins. also, nice one working in the MGM theme park ride into the title!!
a dorkish but motherfucking fact is that The Tubes have been recording their new album at Ex'pression. My Advanced Recording instructor and serious bad ass George Borden is producing.
Post a Comment
<< Home