'Beware Of Mr. Baker'

June 08, 2014 by Nick Graham

I watch A LOT of music documentaries. That's kinda my thing. Most of them follow the same basic formula as a longer 'Behind The Music': band starts, band gets famous, band goes through some turmoil, band breaks up, band makes triumphant return. The details change, but that's the gist complete with an ending that makes us all feel good when it's over.

This on the other hand is unlike any music doc I've ever watched.

Ginger Baker is a complete fucking asshole with no redeeming personal qualities whatsoever. If he wasn't such an extraordinary drummer I have my doubts anyone would want anything to do with him, and by all accounts most of the musicians he's worked with in the past no longer do.

Not saying it was a bad film, but don't go into it expecting to have any of the myths of Ginger debunked. He's probably a worse person than you thought he was already.

What's Old Is New Again

June 06, 2014 by Nick Graham

When I was 14 I loved Led Zeppelin. Discovering their music was a godsend. Every album I bought I'd study it intently for months before buying the next one I didn't have. Each one was like a textbook on how to be the quintessential rock band.

Over the years between classic rock radio over saturation and expanding my musical taste beyond hard rock and metal I grew out of Zeppelin. Their music became almost annoying and seemed beloved by every frat bro dumbass in the entire world. I still respected what they did but wouldn't shed a tear if I never heard a note of it again.

Today looking through the iTunes store I saw the new Zeppelin remasters had been released. I always considered Zeppelin III my favorite Zep record. Mostly acoustic and not played to death. I decided to buy it. An hour later I bought the first 2 albums as well.

A 15 year break where I intentionally stayed away from them has done me a world of good. I'm reminded again of what an incredible band they were. They really were the blueprint for everything that's come after. Plus the remastering sounds fucking amazing.

Soundgarden - 'Superunknown' 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition

June 03, 2014 by Nick Graham

With my 20 year high school reunion quickly approaching next month quite a few great albums are being re-released for their 20th anniversary too.

I wrote about the Oasis 'Definitely Maybe' box set a couple of weeks ago. As much as I love that record, I didn't actually discover it until a couple of years after it came out. This album on the other hand was everywhere during the spring/summer of 1994.

I vividly remember it blasting out of almost every car in the Waverly Central High parking lot, listening to it during our "Senior Skip Day", on our post-graduation trip to Florida and at pretty much every party that summer. Listening to it now takes me back like it was yesterday. A yesterday that gets further and further in the past quicker than I ever imagined. Any little thing that can make you feel like that wide eyed 18 year old with the whole world in front of them again is a wonderful thing.

Anyway, it's packed with 4 discs of demos, rehearsals, live versions and all the usual goodness of a 21st century re-release. If any part of you gets misty eyed for Seinfeld, flannel shirts or Windows 3.1 - go grab this immediately.